Margretta Evelyne (Olson) Morgenson

Morgenson, Margretta Evelyne Olson Our sweet, beautiful mother, Margretta Evelyne Olson Morgenson died in her sleep on August 31, 2015, at 83 years of age, surrounded by her family. Gretta was born in Albert Lea, Minnesota on October, 10, 1931. She spent her youth attending Albert Lea schools and graduated from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, where she majored in religion and was a member of the Manitou singers. There she met John (Jack) Cooke Morgenson and married him in December of 1952. Gretta started her married life with Jack in San Diego when he was in the Marine Corps. After the Marine Corps, Jack and Gretta and their 5 children were transferred to many states during Jack's 35 year tenure with the JC Penney Company. They lived in MN, IA, WI, IL, MO and CT, until retirement in Plano, TX. Their most recent home was in St. George, UT. During their 62 years together, Gretta and Jack loved traveling to countries such as Canada, Ireland, Poland, Spain, Scotland and Australia, just to name a few. Their most treasured vacations were their 19 summers up in Park Rapids, Minnesota on Long Lake. There they enjoyed spending time with loved ones and dear friends. Gretta had a passion for singing in the church choir, bible studies, traveling, book clubs, gardening, painting and most of all her love for Jesus Christ. Our mother was the most nurturing, loving and encouraging mother. She was happy and positive right up to her last breath. Her smile never left her. Gretta was predeceased by her husband John (Jack) Cooke Morgenson and son David John Morgenson. Also her parents Matie Andrea Ackland Olson (who also died on Aug. 31 at the age of 83) and Chester Marion Olson and sister Marian Martha Olson, grandparents Margaret Siblerud Ackland and Peter Andrew Ackland, plus Sarah Peterson Olson and Carl Emil Olson. Gretta is survived by sons John (Joyleen), of Layton, UT, Eric (Gina), of Laguna Niguel, CA, and daughters Monica (Pip) Sivakumar, of Huntsville, UT, and Erica (Bryan) Holland, of Dallas, TX, brothers Roger Emil, (Nadiene), of Albert Lea, MN, and Mark Chester Kenneth Olson, of Bemidji, MN and sister Kathleen Andrea Olson, Minneapolis, MN, along with brother-in-law Don (Leslie) Morgenson, of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Surviving cousins, nieces and nephews live far and wide, while her surviving Aunt Clarissa Ackland Harvey (age 95) lives in Albert Lea. Gretta has 16 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Wounded Warriors fund, at support.woundedwarriorproject.org, in memory of Gretta Morgenson.

Published on September 13, 2015