Clarice Olson, 74, Killdeer, ND area died Monday, January 14, 2008 at Hill Top Home of Comfort, Killdeer, ND. Clarice’s funeral service will be at 1 p.m., Friday, January 18, 2008 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Killdeer, with Rev. Steven Schou officiating. Interment will follow at Oakdale Cemetery north of Killdeer. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, with a prayer service and time of sharing at 7 p.m.. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.
Clarice “Auntie Clarice” Olson was born May 22, 1933 the daughter of Olaf C. and Marie E. (Rychner) Olson. She was raised and educated in Killdeer where she graduated from Killdeer High School in 1950. She began teaching school in the Fall of 1950 and went on to attend State Teachers College at Dickinson, receiving her teaching degree in 1958. Clarice went on to teach school in the Killdeer and Grassy Butte area over a period of 40 years, retiring on May 23, 1990.
Clarice enjoyed the people that she had met through the Tourist Center in Killdeer. She truly enjoyed her students, which included children of some of her first students. Clarice’s nieces and nephews were very dear to her and enjoyed the time spent with them and also other friends and family. Any one that came in contact with Clarice was considered a child of hers, a friend or a loved one. Her home and heart was always open, either at night or early morning the coffee was always ready, along with great conversation.
Clarice owned or has read about every book written about North Dakota or by a North Dakota author. Her knowledge of the state was something she took great pride in. Ask her anything and she would have an answer for you. Over the years running the tourist booth in Killdeer she was able to educate many from all over the world about her favorite state. A friend once said, “Clarice didn’t know how many people were sleeping upstairs; 4, 8, 10, 12 and up, but she knew how much to make for breakfast.
Clarice is survived by two brothers, Marvin (Minnie) Olson, East Haven, VT and Robert Olson, Alexander, ND; one sister, Shirley (Leo) Olson, Richardton, ND; five nieces, Lynda, Karen, Carrie Becky (Jay Ruggles), and Karmin (Larry); five nephews, Mika (Janine), Travis (Rendi), Daniel (Tammy), Justin (Jackie) and Bucky; 14 great-nieces, Stevie, Laura, Halle, Logan, Hanna, Anna, Reagan, Laken, JaLynn, Dusti, Bailey, Jessa, Sheridan and Leeha; and eight great-nephews, Christian, Landon, Johnathan, Jayden, Jace, Robert, Shane and Zachary. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Pete and Dwight, one nephew, Layton, one niece, Roberta, and one sister-in-law, Wanda.
