Mary Olson

I have been an Eastern Star member for almost 40 years. My husband and I got our petitions from Ray & Nina Norin when we bought their farm. We joined Venus Chapter, Stoughton . We took dual memberships with Columbia Chapter, Evansville in the late 1970’s. I taught Family and Consumer Sciences at Whitehorse (Schenk) Middle School in Madison , Wisconsin . I retired when my husband was elected Worthy Grand Patron.

Four of my sisters and I were Rainbow Girls in Adams-Friendship Assembly. I was Grand Representative to Hawaii and Grand Love for the Wisconsin Grand Assembly.

I enjoy gardening especially raising flowers. I do my own yard work as my husband is always in the field in spring and fall. I watch birds all year around from my kitchen window. I started sewing as a child using feed sacks for the fabric. I sewed most of my clothes as a teen-ager, I taught sewing to sixth, seventh and eighth graders. I now teach 4-H members beginning sewing and quilting. I organize and manage the Syttende Mai quilt show in Stoughton for the annual Norwegian celebration. I organized the Piecemaker Quilters of Stoughton to support the Syttende Mai quilt show. I act as the contact person and publish a monthly newsletter for the group.

We have two children. Our son is married and living in South Africa where his wife’s family operate a large dairy farm. He has a wireless internet provider business in the Kamberg Valley where they live. Our daughter lives in Evansville and works for a staffing/employment agency. She has a 2 year old daughter.

My husband and his family raised hogs for many years. Our children showed hogs in 4-H. We have maintained our connection with local and state pork producer organizations even though we are not farming any more. We organize and manage the Dane County Pork Producers sandwich sales at three local fairs and for two other events at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison .

We manage the Pork Shoppe concession stand at the Wisconsin State Fair for a couple of days each year. My job as Grand Treasurer keeps me busy traveling to the office two or more days each week. We also attend many OES events in our area as well as around the state. Working in the Grand Chapter office is an interesting challenge.