Judith (Judy) Annette Peterson Olson, age 89 of Black River Falls, WI, passed away
peacefully at home on Jan 20, 2025.
Judy was born on July 13, 1935 to Merlin J. and Etta (Chrisinger) Peterson in Black
River Falls, WI. She grew up near Black River Falls attending various area Country
Schools and graduating from Black River Falls HS. Judy was baptized and confirmed
at Little Norway Church.
After High School, Judy received her Teacher’s Certificate at UW-EAU. She taught
for 2 years in Nekoosa, WI before moving to Babbitt, MN in 1957 where she
continued her teaching education at the UM-Duluth and received her Bachelor’s
Degree. After moving to Grove City, MN Judy then completed her Master’s Degree
at UM-Morris.
In 1957, while living in Babbitt, MN Judy met “her Ole”. Judy and Arvid (Ole) Olson were married on
Sept 24, 1960 at Little Norway Church. This marriage was blessed with three children.
In 1967, Ole and Judy moved to Grove City, MN where she taught 6 th grade until she retired in 1994.
Then in 1999, they moved to the family home in Black River Falls, WI where they continued to attend
Little Norway Church.
Judy had a love for all people but especially for children which was shown every day in her teaching. She
taught her students to embroider, introduced them to the MN History Contest, created the Geography
Fair, and read “Where The Red Fern Grows”. She was a member of the AAUW and Ladies Aide. Judy
loved to sew, knit, crochet, can and pickle many foods, and bake. In her later years while living in Black
River Falls, she enjoyed coffee carting at the hospital and being “Mrs. Clause” during the Christkindl
Festival. In 2013, Judy received the Jackson County Women in History award.
Judy is survived by Ole, her husband of 64+ years, children: Jeff (LuAnn Rochester) Olson of Black River
Falls, Suzy Affeldt of Alexandria, MN, and Jackie (Scott) Ramgren of Black River Falls; Grandchildren:
Christine Affeldt, Tristan Affeldt, Shannon (Austin) Swisher and adopted Granddaughter Natasha
Semanko; Great-grandchildren: William Swisher, Carter Lee Freeman, Sophia Knight and Keaton Bullick.
Judy is also survived by her sisters Marian Hagen and Lois Ferries both of Black River Falls and many
nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents Merlin J. and Etta Person, sister Carol Lambert, brothers
Eugene Peterson, Verland (Chub) Peterson, and Larry Peterson, brothers-in-law Duane Lambers and
Kerwood Hagen.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date at the Black River Falls Legion.
We would like to thank the Black River Falls Hospital and St. Croix Hospice for their loving care of Judy
during her final days.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers or directly to the Olson
family.
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