JUDITH (JUDY) ANNETTE PETERSON OLSON

JUDITH (JUDY) ANNETTE PETERSON OLSON
Judith (Judy) Annette Peterson Olson, 89, of Black River Falls, WI, passed away peacefully at home Jan. 20, 2025.
Judy was born July 13, 1935 to Merlin J. and Etta (Chrisinger) Peterson in Black River Falls, WI. She grew up near Black River Falls, attending various area country schools and graduating from Black River Falls High School. Judy was baptized and confirmed at Little Norway Church.
After high school, Judy received her teacher’s certificate at UW-Eau Claire. She taught for two years in Nekoosa, WI, before moving to Babbitt, MN, in 1957 where she continued her teaching education at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and received her bachelor’s degree. After moving to Grove City, MN, Judy then completed her master’s degree at UM-Morris.
In 1957, while living in Babbitt, MN, Judy met “her Ole.” Judy and Arvid (Ole) Olson were married Sept. 24, 1960, at Little Norway Church. This marriage was blessed with three children.
In 1967, Ole and Judy moved to Grove City, MN, where she taught sixth grade until she retired in 1994. Then in 1999, they moved to the family home in Black River Falls, WI, where they continued to attend Little Norway Church.
Judy had a love for all people but especially for children which was shown every day in her teaching. She taught her students to embroider, introduced them to the Minnesota History Contest, created the geography fair and read “Where the Red Fern Grows.” She was a member of the AAUW and Ladies Aide. Judy loved to sew, knit, crochet, can and pickle many foods and bake. In her later years, while living in Black River Falls, she enjoyed coffee carting at the hospital and being “Mrs. Clause” during the Christkindl Festival. In 2013, Judy received the Jackson County Women in History award.
Judy is survived by Ole, her husband of 64-plus years; children Jeff (LuAnn Rochester) Olson of Black River Falls, Suzy Affeldt of Alexandria, MN, and Jackie (Scott) Ramgren of Black River Falls; grandchildren Christine Affeldt, Tristan Affeldt, Shannon (Austin) Swisher and adopted granddaughter Natasha Semanko; and great-grandchildren William Swisher, Carter Lee Freeman, Sophia Knight and Keaton Bullick. Judy is also survived by her sisters, Marian Hagen and Lois Ferries, both of Black River Falls and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Merlin J. and Etta Person; sister Carol Lambert; brothers Eugene Peterson, Verland (Chub) Peterson and Larry Peterson; and brothers-in-law Duane Lambers and Kerwood Hagen.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date at the Black River Falls Legion.
We would like to thank the Black River Falls Hospital and St. Croix Hospice for their loving care of Judy during her final days.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers or directly to the Olson family.