Virene Olson

Funeral services for Virene (Pederson) Olson of Morris, MN will be held Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity/Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, rural Johnson, MN, with Reverend Donald Main officiating. Visitation will be Friday, December 5, 2025 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris and for one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Virene Myrtle (Pederson) Olson was born on April 11, 1930, in Graceville, Minnesota, to Milo and Margaret (Boots) Brunkow. Virene grew up on the family farm and was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. She attended District 61 School and then West Central School of AG where she graduated in March 1947, preparing her for a life dedicated to family, church, and community.

On September 6, 1948, Virene married Roy Pederson and lived on a farm near Johnson, MN and together, they raised a family of 11 children, 6 boys and 5 girls. Virene was a devoted homemaker, as she poured her heart into caring for her large family with her endless cooking, baking bread, rolls, lefse, and pies. She was an avid seamstress sewing clothes for the family, making countless wagon wheel rugs, baby quilts, teddy bear pillows, and afghans that became precious keepsakes for many. Virene also had beautiful vegetable and flower gardens and the gladiolus flower was one of her favorites.

Virene was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Johnson and then later of St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran of Morris. Virene enjoyed serving on the Ladies Aid and devoting her time and talents to the Lord where needed. She was also part of the neighborhood ladies ‘Kitchen Chatter Club’. Also, a life member of the Morris Ladies Auxiliary VFW.

Following Roy’s passing in 1984, Virene found companionship and married Chester Olson on February 20, 1993, until his passing in 2006.

Virene loved jigsaw puzzles and word find searches, and throughout her life she kept a daily diary. Virene enjoyed many Rustad trips in her retirement years.

In 2000 Virene moved off the family farm to a townhouse on Lake Crystal in Morris which she claimed was the ‘Best Spot’ in Morris. She loved her view of the small lake and enjoyed watching the year-round wildlife it brought. In October of this year Virene transferred to Julia’s Place in Hancock where she could receive much needed assistance with her daily living.

Virene died Sunday, November 30, 2025 at the Stevens Community Medical Center in Morris, MN; she was 95 years old.

Virene is survived by her children: Marlene Steinborn, of LeSueur, MN; Kathleen (Doug) Needham of Manitowoc, WI; Rodney (Barb) Pederson of Burnsville, MN; Lyle (Correen) Pederson of Dumont, MN; Curtis (Jeanine) Pederson of Bellingham, MN; Dean (Linda) Pederson of Morris, MN; Nadine (Jim) Taffe of Chokio, MN; Glen (Jean) Pederson of Starbuck, MN; Jolene (Bruce) Williams of Tucson, AZ; Loren (Renae) Pederson of Johnson, MN, and Valerie (David) Behrens of Waconia, MN; and sister and brother-in-law, Eunice and Roger Shelstad of Alexandria, MN; sister-in-law’s Norita Brunkow of Omaha, NE; and Connie Brunkow of Alexandria, as well as many of Chester Olson’s family.

To all who knew her, she will be remembered for her kindness and devotion. She also leaves behind loved ones measuring 39 grandchildren, 97 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren, each a testament to the life she built. Her memory will forever remain a blessing.

Preceded in death were her parents Margaret and Milo Brunkow, Roy Pederson (Spouse), Chester Olson (Spouse), Benita Pederson (Daughter-in-Law), Olivia Steinborn (Great Granddaughter), Wes Steinborn (Son-In-Law), brothers, Melvin (Lorna) Brunkow, Orville Brunkow, and Norman Brunkow.

Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in care of the arrangements for Virene.