Phronie Olson

Phronie Olson, age 89 of Fosston, MN and formerly of Lengby, MN passed away on Thursday, August 6th at Essentia Health First Care Living Center in Fosston. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, August 10th, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Lengby with Pastor Aaron Nitz officiating. Interment will be in St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery in Lengby. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with a 6:00 p.m. prayer service on Sunday, August 9th at Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home in Fosston, and at the church for one hour prior to the funeral on Monday. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Paul's Church or Fosston Hospice are appreciated. Arrangements are with the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Fosston. Messages of condolence may be sent to www.carlinhoialmen.com.Phronie Rose Wandschneider was born August 24, 1925 in Rabey, Minnesota to parents William and Mathilda (Steindorf) Wandschneider. She was baptized in Rabey and moved with family to Lengby, Minnesota in 1931. She attended and was confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. She attended elementary school in Lengby and then Fosston High School graduating in 1943.    After high school, Phronie worked at Bill Glander's store and eventually brother Walt operated the store. She also drove semi truck for brother-in-law Orv Kilborn and enjoyed seeing the country that way.  In 1948, a young Swede named Alfred  Olson moved to Lengby from Farwell, MN and purchased Island Lake Resort.  Phronie's love of hunting caught Al's eye and they were married in October 29, 1950. Together they operated the resort until 1951. Al worked in Alaska and Phronie stayed in Lengby and worked at the store. Al & Phronie had two children, Alan was born in 1957 and Sherry came along in 1961. Phronie was a stay-at-home mom, known for her chocolate chip cookies and always offered to anyone that stopped by.     In 1974 Phronie joined the work force again, following in the footsteps of her dad and brother Walt working for the U.S. Postal Service. She was a clerk at the Lengby Post Office under Postmaster Beatrice Hilliard. She loved this job and continued to work until retirement in 1990.     Phronie was an active member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Lengby where she was long-time treasurer of the St. Paul's Ladies' Aid as well as a Friday School Teacher. She was also a member of the Lengby Improvement Club (L.I.C.) where she was also treasurer for many years. She also loved hunting and took pride in telling how she and her sisters would get their limit shortly after duck opening while their brothers were still in the blinds loading shells.     Phronie stayed in Lengby until her move to Cornerstone Assisted Living in 2009 and then to First Care Living Center in 2012. She will be remembered for her quick comebacks and humor. Staff often shared stories of her teasing and wit.     Phronie's pride and joy were her grandkids, Matthew & Rebecca and she attended as many school functions as she possibly could. She often had them over after school and had a batch of fresh chocolate chip cookies waiting for them.     On Thursday, August 6, 2015, Phronie Rose Olson passed away at First Care Living Center at the age of 89 years, 11 months.     Phronie is survived by her son Alan and wife Jackie Olson of Lengby, daughter Sherry and Brett (or Brent as Phronie called him) Wyman of Cass Lake; two grandchildren Matt and wife Kelly Olson of Bismarck, Rebecca and husband Aaron Myhre of Red Lake Falls, and one great grandson Cameron. Many nieces, nephews & Godchildren also survive.     Phronie was preceded in death by her parents, an infant sibling, husband Alfred, brothers Herb, Martin and Walt, and sister Mata Kilborn.