Joyce (Kleinke) Olson

Joyce Linnae (Kleinke) Olson, beloved mother, grandmother and friend, passed away on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at Green Pines Acres Nursing Home in Menahga, Minnesota. She was 90 years old.

Born on October 15, 1935, to Ernest and Ruth (Lilja) Kleinke, Joyce was raised in a large loving family with strong values, caring hearts and most importantly a strong faith and love for the Lord. As a proud graduate of Sebeka High School in 1953, she went on to earn her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education at Bemidji State University, setting the foundation for a forty year career teaching young learners. Most of those years were spent teaching back in her hometown of Sebeka. Joyce was loved by many of her students, coworkers and families.

On September 22, 1957, Joyce was united in marriage to Darwin Olson. Together they were blessed with three children, Darrel, Paul, and Janice. Together they built a home by Sebeka, where they soon started a beef farm that eventually grew into a large dairy farm where Joyce enjoyed farmlife, gardening and her continued teaching career.  

 In 1998, with her children grown and married, Joyce retired from teaching and she moved to be centrally located between her children in Pillager, MN. There Joyce accomplished her dream of independently designing and building a home of her own. She took great pride in her quiet country place where she continued to garden. She took up the hobbies of quilting, sewing, reading and baking. She also loved her many visits from her kids, grandchildren and eventually great grandchildren. Joyce also continued to use her love of teaching as a Sunday School and VBS volunteer coordinator for many years at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Baxter, MN.

Joyce was known to many as someone who always had a cheerful and kind demeanor. She had a beautiful smile that showed her unconditional love for those around her. Her compassion and strong faith in our Lord will be carried on by those who were blessed to know her.

Joyce is preceded in death by her parents: Ernest and Ruth Kleinke; Darwin Olson; two brothers: Ron (Marlene) and Les (Marlys) Kleinke; as well as her sister-in-law Phyllis, spouse of brother, Al Kleinke.

Deeply loved, Joyce’s passing will be mourned by her three children: Darrel (Kim) Olson, Paul (Cheri) Olson, and Janice (Trevor) Wangsness; eight grandchildren: Derek (Kristina) Olson, Brian (Andy) Olson, Jennifer (Evan) Corbin, Alaina (Jack) Baker, Melissa (Lucas) Parenteau, Michaela Olson, Amanda (Luke) Osterman, and Braeden (Julia) Wangsness; 12 great-grandchildren: Nick Corbin; Lillian and Ahnika Olson; Josie and Joy Olson; Kennedy, Grayson and Evander Baker; Noah and Nora Parenteau; Riah Wangsness; and baby Osterman; brother Al Kleinke; sisters: Janice (Baylon) Hagen, JulAnn Meech, Carol (Ed) Luukonen, Shirley (Russel) Olson, Judy (Paul) Miller and Kimberly (David) Kvam as well as many nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

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