Mary Olsson

Mary Olsson, age 102, of Presque Isle passed away on Tuesday, November 10, 2015 at Howard Young Medical Center in Woodruff. Mary was born 5 Feb. 1913 to Frank and Alvina (nee Gravelson) Gritzan. They resided in Split Rock Township, MN, where they had a small Farm. Mary came to northern Wisconsin in 1942, when her husband Axel Olsson, a commercial diver was sent there to recover sunken logs. They resided in Winchester until her husband was sent to Oregon to take part in a diving project to explore the bottom of the Colombia River for a power dam. She returned to northern Wisconsin in 1945 and settled near Winegar, on Cathaline Lake where she enjoyed fishing. Her husband, Axel started a bulldozing business, and in 1957 they built a bar and restaurant and Mary ran the business with help from her husband and three sons, Norton, Holger and Rodney. She was known for serving good food, especially fish fries. An old time customer from Illinois wrote the following: Mary’s Place When you drop in at Mary's place - even on a rainy day, The sun always seems to shine, and the clouds all roll away. When you see her pleasant smile and eyes of shining blue - You're not aware of any storm - and a bright day dawns anew. We've stopped by here for many years - to laugh and chat a while And get a little sympathy - when fish stop biting on Presque Isle. Of course, we have more reasons to stop in at Mary's place - we're Looking for some food to eat - and a drink to slow the pace. May we suggest a Burger - or some beef so nice and lean - we love Her "Famous Denvers" - with some pea soup in between. Some day - If you are lucky, as we have been before - Do try her Lemon Meringue Pie - You'll come running back for more. Late at night when fishing is through - We head for Mary's spot - as soon as we step inside - we know there's Chili in the pot. Food isn't all we come for - there's laughter in between - When Axel loses the strainer - and no ice cubes can be seen. But, he takes it all in stride - smiles and starts a "whopper joke", that's when the fun begins and we all go home broke. Next day with a heavy head we say, "No more for a little while", but come night - we're always back again – Just to See Mary Smile. By: Dot "Walleye Pier” Deach Mary lived a long life, having survived WW1 when her mother and siblings returned to Europe to visit relatives and the war broke out. Her father could not get to them to bring them home until the war was over, but he was able to find them in Latvia and bring them back to their home near Moose Lake, Minnesota. After going to school in Minnesota, she attended Layton School of Art in Milwaukee, WI. After getting married in Milwaukee, she loved to travel around the country with her husband on his diving jobs. Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Axel Olsson; son, Norton Olsson; parents, Frank and Alvina Gritzan and brothers, Al, Victor, Edward, Mack and Steve and sisters, Betty, Helen and Christine Gritzan. She is survived by her sons, Rodney and Holger Olsson, Presque Isle, WI; daughter-in-law, Vyrl (Norton) Olsson, Susanville, CA; four grandchildren, Glenn (Karen) Olsson, Stateboro, GA, Randal Olsson, Janesville, CA, Penny (Rob) Deyarmin, Susanville, CA, Pamela (Sandy) Art, Milford, CT; five great grandchildren, Mindy (Steve) Tatum, Hoover, AL, Lars Art, Austin Art, Jagger Art, Milford, CT and Chanel Olsson, Reno, NA and three great great grandchildren, Devon Tatum and Parker Tatum, Hoover, AL and Drake (Olsson) Warlitner, Reno, NA. A Graveside service will be held on at 11:30 AM on Monday, November 16, 2015 at Evergreen Cemetery in Presque Isle.

Mary Olsson

February 5, 1913 - November 10, 2015