Obituary of Loretta Grace Olsen

Loretta Grace (Mattson) Olsen, 91, of Duluth, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2025, at Open Arms Sr. Living in Duluth with family by her side. While her Alzheimer's may have tried to slow her down, Loretta had a knack for keeping everyone on their toes—always with a smile and a sense of humor that made her presence unforgettable.

Born in January1934 in Duluth, MN, she was the seventh of nine children born to William and Saima (Johnson) Mattson. Loretta was the last surviving of the nine siblings. She was a proud graduate of Duluth Denfeld High School, Class of 1952. Sometime after her sister Irene graduated in 1955, they decided to move to Arizona. They lived in Arizona for just over a year, but decided it wasn't where they wanted to stay, so they returned home. On February 1, 1958 Loretta began working for the Aetna Ins Co. in Duluth, retiring in June 1978. After retiring from Aetna, she worked several years in the office for her brother, John, who owned the After Burner Restaurant in the Duluth Airport terminal. Her greatest adventure began June 11, 1960, when she married the love of her life, Richard “Dick” Olsen. That day she not only became a wife but also a mother to her stepson, Bruce, whom she loved and adored. Their love story started on a dance floor when Dick spotted Loretta across the room. While dancing brought them together, golf quickly became their shared passion. They never traveled without their clubs, because, really, what was the point of going anywhere if you weren't going to play a round. Loretta and Dick were happily married for 36 years at the time of Dick's passing in January 1997.

Loretta was also a devoted volunteer, serving at St. Luke's Hospital for over 27 years, beginning her first day of volunteer service on December 1, 1993. She loved meeting new people and offering a helping hand whenever she could. Whether it was guiding visitors, lending a listening ear, or just making sure things ran smoothly, Loretta had a knack for making everyone feel cared for and comfortable. Her organized approach and ability to keep things on track made her a stand out volunteer, and she took great pride in the work she did there. She enjoyed all the volunteers she worked with, making many friendships along the way.

She cherished her weekly coffee meet-ups at Lakeside Bakery, where she and her friends solved all the world's problems—at least the important ones. Those chats were full of laughter and years of accumulated wisdom. After Dick's passing, Loretta continued hitting the links, playing in leagues at Enger and Lester Park. I'm sure her golfing friends will tell you she's probably already found the best golf course in heaven, talking St. Peter into giving her a better tee time and lining up a foursome. She was also an avid walker. If you asked what her secret was for aging so well, she'd say “don't ever stop moving” and she didn't! Staff at Open Arms can attest to that—she kept them on the run, sometimes literally! She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, as well as gardening, knitting, crocheting, reading and dancing. If there was music playing at Open Arms, she was dancing!

One of the most cherished relationships in her later years was with her nephew, Colin Mattson. If something needed fixing, moving, shoveling, mowing, digging, or figuring out, Colin was on speed dial. He and his wife, Janice, were her dedicated caregivers, providing constant support and companionship until the very end.

Most who knew Loretta would describe her as a “spit fire”, and she was. She was also the person you knew would be there for you in good times and bad. If she felt you needed an advocate, she was there for you. She had the ability to make you feel confident and able to handle whatever challenges came your way. Loretta was known for her quick wit, strong opinions, a sharp sense of humor, a heart even bigger than her laugh, and her big smile that could make you forget you were having a bad day. Family gatherings were never dull when Loretta was present. She was a very caring, generous and giving person. We will all miss her. She will not be forgotten and will forever be a part of us.

Loretta is preceded in death by her husband, Richard; stepson, Bruce; parents William and Saima Mattson; in-laws, Albert and Selma (Lundberg) Olsen; brothers and their spouses, Otto (Elaine), Wilfred (Tillie), Delmar, and John; sisters and their spouses, Virginia, Leatrice (Fred) Pagel, Irene and Sharon (Wesley) Korhonen.

Loretta is survived by her sister-in-law, Beatrice Mattson (AZ); her devoted nephew Colin and his wife, Janice; along with many close and caring nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

A celebration of life will be held Friday, June 13, 2025, in the Chapel at Park Hill Cemetery, 2500 Vermilion Road, Duluth, MN, at 1:30 pm with a time of remembrance at 2:00 pm and interment to follow. All family and friends are welcome. Due to family members with severe fragrance allergies, we kindly ask all of those attending to please come free of all fragrances. Thank you.

Colin and Jan extend their deepest gratitude to the staff at Open Arms Sr Living for the care and love given to Aunt Loretta, and to St Croix Hospice staff for their care and support. A special thanks to Dr. Rostad who helped navigate the ups and downs of her Alzheimer's journey with wisdom and compassion.