Surnames: Olson, Gigstad, Hed, Records, Tessmer, Lundstrum, Geams, Swenby, Becker, Gordon, Heineck

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) November 26, 2008

Olson, Agnes J. "Augie" (10 April 1916 - 18 November 2008)

Agnes J. (Hed) Olson, 92, affectionately known as "Augie," died Nov. 18, 2008, at the Schmitt Woodland Hills Retirement Center in Richland Center.

Augie was born April 10, 1916, in St. Hilaire, MN, to Alvin and Josephine (Gigstad) Hed. At age 10 she moved with her family to Crandon. She graduated from Crandon High school in 1932 and from Stout Institute, Menomonie, in 1938. She taught home economics at Neillsville High School from 1938 to 1941.

She married Kenneth A. Olson June 15, 1941 in Crandon. They lived in Neillsville, St. Paul and on an army base in Texas before Kenneth was shipped overseas during World War II. During the war Augie taught home economics at Loyal High School. She then stayed home to raise her children except for a brief teaching position in the early 1950’s at Neillsville High School. In 1965 Augie became the dietician/dietary supervisor at Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home in Neillsville. She retired in 1978. She and Kenneth move to Schmitt Woodland Hills Retirement Center in Richland Center in 1995.

Augie was a charter member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Neillsville. She spent many happy hours volunteering her time in a variety of church activities. She helped direct the lunches for the American Red Cross Bloodmobile for many years. She was a member of Phi Upsilon Omicron and the Sons of Norway, Black River Falls chapter. She was an associate member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Richland Center.

She is survived by her son, Larry Olson of Stoughton; three daughters, Augie-Jo (Bill) Records of Great Falls, MT, Mary Lou (Bruce) Tessmer of Richland Center and Ellen (Steve) Lundstrum of Nashwauk, MN; five grandchildren, Chris (Heidi), Eric and Melanie Tessmer, Jessie (John) Geams and Rachel Lundstrum; four great-grandchildren; a brother, Gordon (Winifred) Hed of Minneapolis, MN; and a brother-in-law, Paul (Colleen) Swenby of New Richmond; and nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Augie was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Kenneth; her parents; her sisters, Marion Swenby and Louise (Fred) Becker; and her brother, Edwin Kermit (Bertha) Hed.

Augie was devoted to her family. She was one of the unsung heroes who quietly help and encourage any who are in need. She made life better for everyone she knew with her kindness, thoughtfulness and generosity of spirit.

Services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 24, 2008, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Neillsville with Pastor James Gordon officiating. Organist was Mary Heineck.

Memorials may be made to Calvary Lutheran Church in Neillsville, Schmitt Woodland Hills in Richland Center or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Buchanan Funeral Home of Neillsville assisted the family with arrangements.