Sandra C. Olson, 64, of Algona, formerly of Bode, joined her heavenly Father on Saturday, November 7, 2015 at the Good Samaritan Center in Algona. Funeral services are 10:30 Thursday, November 12, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Bode. Burial will be in St. Olaf Cemetery, Bode. Visitation is from 4-7 Wednesday at the church. The Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Sandra Charleene Olson was born on October 5, 1951 to Wayne and Charleene (Clay) Olson at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Dodge, Iowa. She was baptized on October 10, 1951 at the hospital after bleeding was discovered in her brain, causing her to have cerebral palsy.
Sandy went to the Easter Seals Hospital in Iowa City when she was 4 years old to attend school and receive physical therapy for her cerebral palsy. At the age of 8 she started attending Humboldt Schools where she graduated in 1970.
She was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, the Lydia Circle, and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.
Sandy was a thoughtful, sweet, stubborn, strong, and an inspiration for everyone who met her. In spite of her obvious disabilities, she lived for many years after her mother passed away independently with the help of her sister, her many friends and a very devoted and caring physician, Dr. Lampe. It wasn’t until her body stopped cooperating with her that she finally had to give in and relinquish her independence and went to the Good Samaritan Center in Algona in December 2012. She loved, loved, loved her family! She enjoyed spending what time she could at Debi’s camper at the lake, holidays with Debi and Bob, her nephews and their families, and visits from Doug and his family. She spent her days doing what she loved to do most which was puzzles, watching the Hallmark Channel, listening to books on tape, outings to the casino with her great friends, and collecting angels. She was faithful at sending cards and notes to friends and family, each note or card would take endless time and energy to painstakingly set up her typewriter and peck out each letter, which took all her strength and effort. Everyone was always so touched by her thoughtfulness.
Sandy will be remembered for her strength, her kindness, her sense of humor, and her ability to live her own life the way she wanted to for as long as she could.
Left to cherish her memory is her brother Doug (Sue) Olson and sons, Stephen and Matthew of Isanti, MN; Chad and Jason Olson of Colorado; and Kristi King of Las Vegas. Sister Debi (Bob) Thilges of Algona and family, Jeremy and Jennifer, Hunter, and Olivia Thilges of Whittemore; Jeff and Lisa, Kloee, Carter, Kayley, and Shea Thilges of Algona; and Justin Thilges and Paige of Algona.
Family members welcoming Sandy into heaven are her parents, Wayne and Charleene Olson; grandparents, Melvin and Millie Olson and Harold and Alma Clay; and many other loving relatives.