Shirley J. Olson
Maya Patel has spent the last six years covering the arts scene in Fargo after earning her degree in Arts Management from North Dakota State University. She has a strong background with local art galleries and theaters, bringing a vibrant perspective to her reporting.
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Shirley Josephine Olson (Lang), 72, of Hawley, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on October 27, 2026, at Heather’s Hospice House in Fargo, North Dakota, following a courageous battle with lung cancer. Shirley was born December 22, 1953, in St. Cloud, Minnesota, to Frank and Arleda Lang. She grew up in North Fargo alongside her six siblings and many neighborhood friends and graduated from Shanley High School in 1972. In 1973, Shirley married Warren H. Olson. Their love story was anything but ordinary, but through life’s many twists and turns, they always found their way back to one another. Together, they raised two children, Ashley and Lee, and moved to Hawley in 1990. They weathered many challenges together, but their love and devotion to each other remained constant. Warren’s passing in June 2023 left a tremendous void in Shirley’s heart, and she missed him every day. Shirley dedicated much of her life to caring for others, working for many years in healthcare at MeritCare, Sanford,