Mary Lee (Christensen) Olson passed away peacefully at home in Sarona on April 17, 2025.

Mary was born on December 17, 1943, in Chatfield, Minnesota, to Alfred and Helen (Merritt) Christensen. Her family later moved to the Spooner, Wisconsin area, where she graduated from Spooner High School in 1962. That same year, on September 15, she married the love of her life, Jack Olson, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Spooner. Together they raised three children—Derrick, Susan, and Karen—and in July of 1970, they moved to “The Farm,” where many cherished memories were made.

In 1974, Mary began her career with Washburn County as a part-time cook at the jail. Determined and hardworking, she later attended jail officer school and eventually retired as Jail Lieutenant/ Jail Administrator after 37 years of service. She was especially proud to be part of the move to the new jail facility in 1991 and treasured the lifelong friendships she built with her coworkers.

Mary had a deep love for nurturing and guiding youth. She served as a BSA den leader, a Girl Scout Brownie leader, and a volunteer at St. Francis de Sales School. Her greatest passion, however, was 4-H and the Washburn County Fair. A longtime 4-H leader, Mary held numerous leadership roles, including positions in the Leaders Association, Fair Entertainment and Advertising Committee, and the Show and Sale Program. Alongside Jack, she represented Washburn County at the Wisconsin State Fairs Convention, where she was inspired to help reinstate the Fairest of the Fair program locally. One of her proudest moments came in 2022 when her granddaughter, Jackie Rosenbush, was named Wisconsin’s Fairest of the Fairs—the first ever from Washburn County.

In 1999, Mary returned to the church of her youth, Faith Lutheran Church in Spooner, and became a dedicated member of its Social Ministry Board. Mary states, her greatest gift in was that her parents raised her a christian.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Helen Christensen; her husband, Jack Olson (2018); sister, Elaine McTaggart; in-laws Ole and Mil Olson, Sylvia Christensen, Wayne Stevenson, and Larry McTaggart; son-in-law Dan Rosenbush; grandson-in-law Ryley Holden; and her beloved dog, Jess.

She is survived by her children: Derrick (Sue) Olson, and his daughter McKayla (Sam) Holden, great-grandsons John and Warren, and McKayla’s mother Deb Proctor, daughter Susan “Susie” Olson Rosenbush, and granddaughters Kate Rosenbush and Jackie (Matt) Rosenbush, and daughter Karen Olson (Kathy).

She also leaves behind many cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and friends who enriched her life over the years.

Mary’s legacy of service, kindness, and commitment to youth and community will be remembered by all who knew her.

A time of gathering and Celebration of Mary’s life will be held on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 11am, at the Faith Lutheran Church in Spooner with Pastor Brent Berkesch officiating. Visitation will be on Friday from 10-11am, at the Church. A private graveside will take place at a later date at the Spooner Cemetery.

Last Update: Apr 22, 2025 1:27 pm CDT