Maxine Olson

Maxine Larrabee Olson, age 82, of Siren passed away peacefully on March 4, 2017 with family by her side. Maxine was born in the back room of her parents’ tavern in Hertel, Wisconsin tavern on January 18, 1935. She was the third daughter born to Max and Gladys (Bakker) Larrabee, named for her father after the family doctor suggested he give his name to one of the girls, since he probably wasn’t going to get a boy. The doctor was right, and Maxine (also known as Max) was joined by two more sisters in the following years. She and her sisters grew up in Hertel and spent much of their youth at the Lakeview United Methodist Church, attending services, youth group, and other community events. Faith was a big part of Maxine’s life, and she was baptized, confirmed, and married in the little country church where she made so many good memories. Another big part of Maxine’s life was her career as a nurse. After graduating from Spooner Schools and completing nursing school, she worked at the Siren Hospital and went on to work at the Siren Clinic for 33 years. Many knew her smiling face from the front desk of the clinic, where she served multiple generations of local families over the years. Maxine loved the doctors and nurses she worked with and considered her clinic colleagues some of her closest friends. A born caregiver, she also enjoyed getting to work with patients and their families and being able to help them through their tough times. In addition to her career as a nurse, Maxine also owned and operated the Pine Country Restaurant between Siren and Webster for many years, and worked part-time at DSI in Siren after her retirement, giving her more opportunities to build relationships with local community members. The most important thing to Maxine, and her greatest joy, was her family. She married Loren Olson, the love of her life, in 1958, and they lived a short time in her hometown of Hertel before moving to Siren. Maxine was so proud of her family - three children, four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild – and she saved every newspaper clipping, school photo, and concert program they were in. Her house was full of photos of her family, and her refrigerator was always covered with arts and crafts projects from her grandkids. She loved to keep family traditions going, whether it was Christmas Eve dinners with visits from Santa, Valentine’s Day cards and chocolates, or hiding Easter baskets where only the keenest of children’s eyes could find them. Maxine was happiest when surrounded by her family and friends, listening to their stories, and sharing her stories with them. Maxine is preceded in death by her husband Loren and sisters Beverly Thompson and Connie Hill. She is survived by sisters Barbara (Stu) Fosmo and Sharron Koelsch; children David (Sharlene) Olson, Scot Olson, and Dawn (Robert) Lindberg; grandchildren Jason (Lisa), Jenny (Bill), Sara, and Jessica; great-grandchildren Alec, Kenzie (Alex), and Steven; and great-great grandchild Hudsyn. She is also survived by many other relatives and friends, including those at the Indianhead Medical Center/Shell Lake Clinic. Pastor Steve Ward and Pastor Jack Starr will be officiating the memorial service for Maxine at the Hertel Lakeview Church on Saturday, March 11 with visitation at 10:00 am and service at 11:00 am. Interment will be at the Lakeview Cemetery directly following the service with a luncheon afterward. Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster. Online condolences can be made at www.swedberg-taylor.com