Olga Nora Wilson was born in Amery, Wisconsin on November 14, 1912 the daughter of John and Amanda (Mickelson) Peterson. She grew up in rural Amery and attended the Deronda School. She left school after eighth grade to help raise her siblings. When she was 15 years old she worked for a farmer for $5.00 a month. A short time later she took a job as housekeeper for the Glenwood City Hotel. She was paid $.75 per hour plus room and board. She moved back to Amery a few years later and both she and her mother worked at the Lakeside Pea Factory. She was there for six years and then for the next seven years she worked at Hickory Point Resort on Lake Wapogasset. She moved to Minneapolis to work, but on weekends enjoyed the chance to go to dances. She went to dances at Gleasons (now the Laurel) and it was there she met Art Wilson. After a courtship they got married in the judges chambers at the courthouse on February 26, 1941. They farmed with his parents for a while and in 1949 bought their own farm. Farming was tough and they both took other jobs, Olga's being at the Amery Hotel. They continued to enjoy dancing, playing cards and socializing with friends. Art had a daughter from a previous marriage who they were reunited with and many trips were made to California to see her. In 2001 they moved to Evergreen Village in Amery. She was a longtime member of Deronda Lutheran Church and was very good at handwork stitchery. Olga has been a resident at Golden Age Manor for several years where she passed away on November 25, 2010 at the age of 98 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Art, sisters: Blanche Peterson, Irma Matt, Pearl Knutson and Mae Peterson; brothers Raymond Peterson and William Peterson. Left to mourn are her daughter Gerri Carter; sister Ethel Nelson; brother Harvey (Joyce) Peterson; sister-in-law Geneva Peterson; nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday December 1, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. from the Deronda Lutheran Church in rural Amery with Pastor Jerry Schultz officiating. There will be a visitation for the hour prior to the service at the church. Organist will be Margaret Peterson. Her cremains will be interred at a later date at the Deronda Cemetery.