Lanajean Olsen

Lanajean Olsen, age 82 of Hammond, WI died Saturday, August 3, 2024 at the Hammond Health Services following a courageous battle with congestive heart disease. Lanajean was born on February 10, 1942 in North St. Paul, Minnesota; the daughter of Warren and Loretta (Wyatt) Casselton. She attended grade school in North St. Paul prior to graduating from North St. Paul High School. Following this, she furthered her education at the University of Wisconsin River Falls. Lanajean had a passion for helping others; especially when they were struggling with life. She worked as secretary in a drug and rehabilitation center; Journey Counseling in Farmington, Minnesota. She also enjoyed her time spent working for American Girl Doll in Eau Claire. On January 27, 1962, she walked down the aisle at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in North St. Paul to emphatically say, “I Do!” to Robert Olsen. Together, they joyfully brought daughters Kimberley and Kristen into this world; and would later be joined by daughter in heart Leanna.

Lanajean was all about family. It brought her the biggest smile when she would be surrounded by her family; albeit at times they would drive her crazy too! She enjoyed going to auctions to look for that special buy and later in life, going to the Western Wisconsin Fitness Center. She had a fun collection of flamingos and sloths and enjoyed crocheting. It was rare for her to miss the Price Is Right, yelling at the contestants for what they should bid as well as Murder She Wrote, trying to figure the ‘Who done it!’. Her favorite undoubtedly, was Perry Mason in which she may have watched each episode five times!

Lanajean is survived by her daughters Kimberley (Joseph) Edens of Hudson; Kristen (Steven Hintzman) Dugan of Hammond, Leanna (John) Larson of Spring Valley; 11 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild. Her husband and great granddaughter Elizabeth preceded her in death.

A Celebration of Life for Lanajean Olsen will be Friday, August 9th from 2pm to 5pm at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home, 225 So. Third Street, River Falls, Wisconsin 54022. Memorials are preferred. Interment will be private.

Funeral services entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of River Falls. For more information, please visit www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com or call 715-425-5644.