Marlys Ann Olson was born to Peter and Margaret Dietrich on May 10, 1941 in her aunt’s home in Neche, ND. She attended school in Cavalier, ND, and graduated from NDSU in 1963 with a BS degree in speech pathology, pioneering as the first speech therapy teacher in Pembina County. She was married to Bert D Olson on June 14, 1963, at the Evangelical United Brethern Church in Cavalier; was a member of Cavalier Baptist Church. Marlys will be remembered for her unwavering Christian faith, her empathy for others and her love of books, art and animals. She sang for many weddings and funerals in her lifetime. Many knew her as a supportive friend. Her nieces and nephews remember her as “Auntie” with always a warm, uplifting greeting.

Marlys was preceded in death by her husband Bert D Olson her parents, Peter and Margaret Dietrich and her sister-in-law Kay Olson, and niece Jana Lindblad She is survived by her sister, Darlene Watson, brothers-in-law Robert Olson and Dale Watson, nieces Jacki Kuehnel and Juli Olson, nephews Jay Olson, Robert Watson, Richard Watson and Michael Watson and many grandnieces and grandnephews.

Marlys passed away Thursday, May 6, 2021 at her home. Funeral service will be held Monday, May 10, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at the Cavalier Baptist Church, Cavalier, ND. Visitation will be held Sunday, May 9th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Cavalier Baptist Church.