Obituary of Heidemarie Olson

Heidi Olson (75), of Minneapolis, after a brave and determined ten-year struggle with cancer, died on August 25, 2018. Heidi was known for her indomitable spirit, friendliness, and genuine interest in others. She was also known for the open, disarming honesty with which she expressed her opinions about almost everything, an aspect of her personality that family and friends found refreshing, endearing, and sometimes amusing. We will miss her immensely. Heidemarie Kirschbaum was born in Dillenburg, Germany, on July 16, 1943, a war baby. She grew up there and studied at Goethe University in Frankfurt. In 1971 she met her future husband Eric through a mutual friend while traveling in Rhodes, Greece. They married the following year and moved to Minneapolis. For 46 years, they enjoyed a fun marriage and a family that grew to include two daughters, Thekla and Sonja, two sons-in-law, Justin and Jim, and five lively grandchildren. Heidi loved children, flowers, books, art, puzzles, and games. Her first employment was teaching in a Frankfurt school for children with special needs. After moving to Minneapolis, she continued for many years to teach children at Judson Preschool and at the Friday Morning Out program. She particularly enjoyed telling children stories that required their participation and introducing them to art. In addition to books, she always seemed to have art supplies available for children’s projects. She encouraged her young grandchildren to do annual self-portraits. And there was nothing more fun for her than playing games or working on puzzles with them. Heidi had a lifelong interest in flowers and for many years designed arrangements for the Art in Bloom show at MIA, which chose one of her arrangements for the poster and brochure cover announcing the show. She dearly loved her children and grandchildren and took great joy in family trips and holidays. Her book group, supper group, and the long friendships that had blossomed from earlier years of helping one another raise young families were important parts of her life. When she took her turn to host an event or dinner for family or friends, she fully focused her attention and energy on it, often adding a bit of playfulness or flair to the occasion, as well as flowers. Heidi is predeceased by her parents Hilde and Hermann Kirschbaum, and her sister Lilo. She is survived by her husband Eric, daughters Thekla (Justin) Swanson and Sonja (James) Nelson, by her grandchildren Tiegan and Piper Swanson, Kai and Irven Nelson, and Jim’s daughter Allie Nelson. She is also survived by her brother Rudolf (Inge) of Dillenburg, and by her niece Sabine and nephews Gert, Thorsten, Lars, and Gunnar, and their spouses and children in Germany. Heidi’s family greatly appreciates the care of Dr. Kendra Kubiak and colleagues and staff at Park Nicollet’s Frauenshuh Cancer Center over the years of Heidi’s illness. Those who wish to make a memorial donation may consider the Park Nicollet Foundation, the Minneapolis Institute of Art, or the Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance. A service is planned for noon on Wednesday, September 5, at the Lakewood Cemetery Memorial Chapel in Minneapolis, with a reception to follow.