Harriet T. Olson, 93, Dickinson, died Friday, March 18, 2011 at her home. Harriet’s funeral service will be at 1 p.m., Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at The United Methodist Church, Dickinson, with Rev. Scott McKirdy officiating. Interment will take place later this Spring at the Dickinson Cemetery. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.
Harriet Thorpe was born August 30, 1917 in Dickinson, the daughter of Olaf and Clara (Davis) Thorpe. She was raised and educated in Dickinson, graduating from Dickinson High School in 1935.
Harriet had attended North Dakota State University in Fargo prior to transferring to the University of Minnesota. In 1940, Harriet received her degree in Public School Music and Voice. She had also attended the George Williams College in Chicago, and the American University in Washington, DC, where she studied to do Red Cross work in support of the military. In order to teach in the Chicago area, Harriet updated her teaching credentials at the Chicago Teachers College.
She worked for the YMCA from February until June of 1946, as the Women’s Work Secretary, with the responsibility of three different locations.
Harriet married Alvin B. Olson on June 13, 1946 in Chicago. Her husband died in November of 1976.
Harriet received her Masters of Arts Degree in Reading Specialties, and Counseling and Guidance from Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., in 1955. She began her teaching career on October 10, 1946, and after 33 years, retired from Chicago school teaching on October 10, 1976. She returned to Dickinson and for two years taught First & Second Graders at South Heart Public School.
Harriet belonged to several Fraternal organizations; Mother Advisor of Rainbow Girls, Order of Eastern Star, Ladies Oriental Shrine, Daughters of the Nile, Past President of V.F.W. Auxiliary, Rebekah, Past Matrons, Delta Kappa Gamma, Federated Music Clubs, and St. Cecelia Music Club. Honorary memberships included; Delta Kappa Gamma (Charter member Beta Alpha of Illinois), elected to Silver Haired Legislature of North Dakota, Grand Cross of Color, International Society of Poets, and Grand Representative to Colorado and North Carolina.
Harriet is survived by several cousins, many friends and several acquaintances. She was preceded in death by her husband, and her parents.
