Florence Nila Olson was born January 22, 1932 in Canton SD to Paul and Clara Ulrikson Fossum and passed away 22 November 2022.

Nila graduated from Lennox High School in 1950. She grew up on a farm that burned coal and wood for heat, got electricity just shortly after she was born and used horses in the fields for farm work until the mid-1940s. She walked to school three miles west of the farm most days through eighth grade. She met Donald Verdell Olson and was married on 14 February 1951 at West Prairie Lutheran Church. Prior to her marriage, she worked briefly as a bookkeeper at Shrivers and at Fred the Fixer, both in Sioux Falls. For a short period after their marriage, they lived in Lennox and then farmed south and west of Centerville. In 1953, they moved off the farm and into Centerville and about a year later they purchased the home she still owns and lived in until she went to the Centerville Care and Rehab Center in February this year. She did not ever want to leave the home in which she raised her six children. She and her husband Don enjoyed travelling to visit the children and grandchildren in the various places they lived over the years, visiting them in Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, California, Nebraska, North Dakota, Minnesota and Canada. Nila worked with her husband in their Clover Farm Grocery Store in Centerville until it closed in 1969. After the store closed, she began work at the Centerville School in the school cafeteria and rose to serve as the Head Cook before her retirement in 2002 following the 2001-2002 school year. She and her husband Don loved working in the school with all the faculty and students. Nila's home was always open to friends and family, and she always made time with a tasty snack, coffee and a listening ear. The holidays were always fun with lots of good food and company. The family home was the refuge for all the kids to bring their families and celebrate together.

Nila was confirmed at West Prairie Lutheran Church. She became a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church when they farmed in that area. Bruce, Paul & Carla were baptized at Immanuel. Later, they became members of Scandia Lutheran Church where Nila is still a member. She served as Congregational President and numerous other leadership positions. She was in Ladies Aide and Circle, taught Sunday School and until recently, ran the Prayer Chain for the church. Kari, Ruth and Nancy were baptized at Scandia. All the kids were confirmed at Scandia. The family home was along the Vermillion River and right next to the Scandia Parsonage, so the kids all grew up in the shadow of the Pastors and their families. They often felt like they were "Pastors Kids or PKs" also. Many wonderful friendships resulted.

She is survived by her sons Bruce (Cathy) and Paul, both in Sioux Falls and daughters Carla Van Liere, Maple Grove MN, Kari Wiedmeier, Martinsdale MT, Ruth (Brian) Weier, Viborg SD and Nancy (Steve) Parker, Brighton CO and a brother-in-law, Jim Olson and so many nephews and nieces. Nila and Don were blessed with 14 Grandchildren, 30 Great- Grandchildren and 1 Great-Great-Grandchild so far.

Nila is the last of her generation. She is preceded in death by her husband Don, her parents and all four siblings and their spouses, Ernie (Mildred), Paul (Ida), Allen (Irma), Clarice (Fred) Haan, Don's parents Martin and Mable Olson, and his siblings Melvin (Violet), Arnold, Robert, Arlene (Maurice) Dwyer, sister-in-law Jean Olson (passed the day following Nila's passing), and sister-in-law Mary Ellen Gross, sons-in-law, Darrel Van Liere and Randy Wiedmeier, her grandson Don Olson, and so many more meaningful people in her life.

Services will be held at Scandia Lutheran Church on Saturday, December 3 at 10:00. Visitation will be Friday evening from 5 to 7 at Scandia Fellowship Hall with a prayer service at 7. The family requests memorial gifts could be given to Holland Cemetery or Scandia Church.