Shirley Josephine Olson (Lang), 72, of Hawley, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on October 27, 2026, at Heather’s Hospice House in Fargo, North Dakota, following a courageous battle with lung cancer.
Shirley was born December 22, 1953, in St. Cloud, Minnesota, to Frank and Arleda Lang. She grew up in North Fargo alongside her six siblings and many neighborhood friends and graduated from Shanley High School in 1972.
In 1973, Shirley married Warren H. Olson. Their love story was anything but ordinary, but through life’s many twists and turns, they always found their way back to one another. Together, they raised two children, Ashley and Lee, and moved to Hawley in 1990. They weathered many challenges together, but their love and devotion to each other remained constant. Warren’s passing in June 2023 left a tremendous void in Shirley’s heart, and she missed him every day.
Shirley dedicated much of her life to caring for others, working for many years in healthcare at MeritCare, Sanford, home healthcare, as well as serving as a paraprofessional for students with special needs. Her caring nature extended far beyond her work, as she was always willing to give whatever she had to help the people she loved.
Quick-witted, wonderfully stubborn, and fiercely independent, Shirley was a simple woman who found happiness in life’s everyday blessings and a good cup of coffee. She loved spending time at the lake, pontooning, gardening, canning salsa, and relaxing at home with her puppies, Buddy and Brody. She cherished her close relationships with her sisters, their many gatherings over Mexican food, and the friendships she shared with her high school girlfriends.
Above all else, Shirley’s greatest joy was her family. A true mama bear, she was fiercely protective, endlessly supportive, and always her children’s biggest cheerleader. She never missed an opportunity to remind them how proud she was.
To her six grandchildren, she was Grandma Shirley. She enjoyed baking, playing games, celebrating birthdays, and attending their many sporting events and musical performances. She took immense pride in each of them and made sure they always knew how deeply they were loved.
In January 2022, Shirley was diagnosed with lung cancer, beginning a nearly five-year battle that demonstrated her extraordinary strength and determination. She endured the removal of a lung, radiation, and five rounds of chemotherapy. Even after treatment was no longer an option, Shirley continued to defy the odds, holding on for another year and a half. She fought for every precious day she could spend with her family.
Shirley is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Ashley (Adam) Martodam, and their children, Kendal, Preston, Kaitlyn, and Jaylon; her son, Lee Olson, and his daughters, Sawyer and Levyn; her beloved dogs, Buddy and Brody; her siblings, Marilyn Jamieson, Frank (Michelle) Lang, Charlotte (Steve) Rose, and Bob Lang; her sisters-in-law, Debbie (Rod) Garland, Holly (Dale) Rosenkranz, and Heidi (Allan) Krauter; and many cherished nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Warren H. Olson; her parents, Frank and Arleda Lang; her sisters, Carolyn Radeck and Rosie Rheault; her brothers-in-law, Jimmy Jamieson and Scott Olson; her nephews, Jim Jamieson and Jacob Olson; and her parents-in-law, Arland and Else Olson.
Shirley leaves behind a lifetime of beautiful memories and a family who will forever carry the unconditional love, strength, and encouragement she gave so freely.
FUNERAL SERVICE: 6 PM Monday, November 2, 2026, at Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center in Fargo – with a visitation one hour prior.
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