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Elaine G. Olson Alvstad • 1923 - 2010
After Andy passed away in 1988, Elaine purchased a condo in Minot to be near other family members. She was active in many organizations including: Our Lady of Grace Alter Society, Sons of Norway, Women of the Moose, Singles club where she also taught dance. In 1999, she married Darrold Alvstad after meeting him on the dance floor at the Minot Moose club. They enjoyed many years of dancing and exploring local communities. They had many friends that they enjoyed spending time with. Darrold continues to live on the farm where he grew up in Coulee. Elaine loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and enjoyed spending time, especially during holidays with them. She continued to open her home for many years for all the family functions even after she had passed the cooking ladle to Shirley to do the work! Her entire family celebrated her 80th birthday by filling her home with laughter and children. Elaine is survived by her husband, Darrold Alvstad, Coulee; brother-in-law, Bill Utke, Sioux Falls, SD; daughter, Kathy Olson & husband, Bob Dodd of Hudson, WI; grandchildren - Mujahid Nathim, Andy Dodd, Minneapolis, MN; daughter, Shirley (special friend Leon Glaser) Olson, Bismarck; grandchildren – Nikki (Ben) Hickman, Breauna Nickelson, Andreas Nickelson. She also has 6 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings – Walter Grondale, Anna Paul, Helen Utke and Harry Grondale and first husband, Andrew W Olson. Funeral and reception will be held at Our Lady of Grace in Minot on Saturday, August 28th at 10:00 AM. Signing of the Guest book will be One hour prior to service time at the church. Honorary pallbearers are the Members of the Minot Moose and all her friends. A graveside service will be held at St James Catholic cemetery at 2:00 the same day with a reception at the church hall to follow. All friends are invited to attend.
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Elaine G. Olson Alvstad, 87, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at a Bismarck hospital. Elaine was current resident of Bismarck and a long time resident of Ray, Battle View and Minot where she had made her mark on each community. Elaine was born and raised south of Ray, ND to Henry and Ella (Schlief) Grondale, the 2nd of 5 children. She attended the Hartsock School a few yards from their farm. She graduated from Ray High School in 1941 and worked at several businesses in Ray before she was swept off her feet at a dance by Andy Olson. They married June 7th, 1944 and began their life on the farm/ranch by moving a house on to his parent’s homestead north of Battle View. She was a devoted homemaker and mother to their two daughters, Kathy and Shirley. They elevated the small farm to a well-respected Angus cattle ranch with Elaine using her financial and organizational skills to help make a good life for them all. They received the Soil Conservation Achievement awards and the P.M. Olson homestead (1907) is listed as one of the oldest in North Dakota. Elaine was an excellent seamstress
but really found her creative niche when she discovered oil painting in 1970. Her paintings won many awards and still decorate the homes of her family today. She was a member of the St James Catholic Church and former president of the altar society. She dedicated many hours to church activities, volunteered to support Powers Lake schools, organized & lead 4-H clubs, was a member of ND Cowbelles, ND Angus association and loved to dance and square dance.