Bonita Olson

Bonita Olson, of Edinburg, ND, passed away June 6th at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND at the age of 89, surrounded by her loving family.
Bonita Joy McCall was born April 16, 1936 to Howard and Opal McCall in Plentywood, Montana. She graduated from Comertown High School in 1953 and later married her hometown sweetheart, Larry, on November 1,1953 in Comertown. They made their first home on a farm and within a few years, moved to Plentywood, Montana where Larry was an electrician. Later, they moved to Great Falls, Montana where they lived about 12 years before making Edinburg, ND their home in 1971. While in Edinburg, Larry and Bonita began their own business: Olson Electric. Bonita was the secretary/bookkeeper. In 1995, Bonita became the secretary for Trinity Lutheran Church, where she was a member. She loved that job, working with great pastors and parishioners. She held that job 28 years before retiring.
All Bonita had ever wanted was to get married and have children. She got her wish; the couple had six children – five girls and a boy. All were teachers who learned from the best: their mother.
Bonita was happy being a mom and homemaker, and she was a truly wonderful mom. She knew just what to say when her kids needed her advice, and no celebration was complete without her. She taught all her family that they can achieve anything and inspired them to do their very best in everything.
She was also a great cook and baker. It was rare to have store-bought bread and buns in the house because she baked bread at least once a week. She excelled in big meals and somehow knew just the right amount to fix. Family gatherings easily drew over 20 people.
Most of Bonita’s time was spent keeping track of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She always wanted to know what they were doing, and they called her almost daily to report in, though they knew better than to call when an important ball game was on TV. When they did, they would fortunately also hear about what everyone else was doing because while she never took notes, she remembered it all. She was interested in all their activities and shenanigans, and went to many sports games, piano recitals, programs, etc. She was the glue for her close-knit family. Many hours were spent with many family members all together, laughing, telling stories, and getting advice. Her grand and great-grandchildren especially loved how she joked and played with them. Her home and the Edinburg community was special to Bonita, so in the last ten years of her life, her daughter Lori lived with her, which allowed her to remain at home. She enjoyed her regular day to day activities and her revolving door with family constantly coming and going.
Her love of our Lord was evident in the way she raised her family and in her dedication to her church and its members. With the assurance of Eternal Life, she knew this world was just a blink of an eye, and Jesus was waiting for her in the end.
Bonita is survived by her children: Janet (Randy) Johansen, Edinburg, ND; Judy (Allen) Sorbo, Adams, ND; Lori Olson, Edinburg, ND; Jill Pilon, Grafton, ND; Mark Olson, Arlington, MA; and Marjean Olson, New York, NY. Her grandchildren: Jesse (Kris) Johansen, Manvel, ND; Jeremy Johansen, Edinburg, ND; Marlie Kingery, Bemidji, MN; Diana Sorbo (Grant Larson), Broomfield, CO; Andrew (Kayla) Sorbo, Thompson, ND; Sara Sorbo, Portland, OR; and Elizabeth Pilon, Fargo, ND. Her great grandchildren: Sophia, Hadley, Axel and Oliver Sorbo; Caden and Egan Johansen; Harper and Hazel Kingery; and Ivy Larson; son-in-law, Noel Pilon; future daughter-in-law, Del Masongo; sister, Vivian Veazey, Minot, ND; and numerous nieces and nephews and their offspring. She loved all her family deeply. 
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lawrence C. Olson; siblings, Aubrey (Lucy) McCall; Robert (Betty) McCall; Barbara (Russell) Long; Phyllis (Ken) Long. In-laws: Doris (Alf) Storaasli; Alice Olson, June (Ed) Heidt; Evedine (Waldemar) Lane; brothers-in-law, Doug Veazey and Glen Olson; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at 2:00 PM at the Trinity Lutheran Church of Edinburg.  Visitation will be for one hour prior the service at the church.  Interment will be at the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery of Edinburg.

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