Janice LaVonne Olmanson

Janice LaVonne Olmanson, age 89, of St. Peter, MN , peacefully passed away on June 29, 2024, at the Benedictine Senior Living where she resided for the past several years.

Visitation will be July 13, 2024 from 10:30 - 11:30 am, memorial service to follow at 11:30 am at Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Peter. Luncheon will be served at the church following the service. Interment will be at Greenhill Cemetery after the luncheon. Condolences may be left at www.saintpeterfuneralhome.com for the family.

Janice ”Jan” was born January 14, 1935 in St. Paul, MN. She was the daughter of Raymond and Clara (Rapp) Samuelson of Cannon Falls, MN. She grew up on the family farm near Vasa and graduated from Cannon Falls High School in 1952. She then attended Gustavus Adolphus College when she met the love of her life Vern Olmanson of St. Peter, MN. They were married on December 26, 1954 at Vasa Lutheran Church. After Vern completed medical school, they moved to St. Peter and Dr. Vern joined his father’s practice at the St. Peter Clinic. 

Jan is survived by five sons Douglas (Peg), Paul (Deb), Steven (Bonnie), Peter (Tammy), and David (Chris); twelve grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; sister Joan Hemmah; sister-in-law Jerrie Samuelson; many nieces and nephews; and special family friend Vicki Davis. Janice was preceded in death by her husband Dr. Vern, her parents; brother Richard Samuelson; brother-in-law Merlan Hemmah; Vern’s parents Dr. Edmund ‘Goodie’ and Gertrude (Evanson) Olmanson; sisters-in-law Kristi Olmanson, Joanne Pederson; brother-in-law and wife Dr. Don and Barb Olmanson; granddaughter Jamie Olmanson.

Jan loved cooking, entertaining, and sharing her culinary skills with others and carried her passion into writing her own cookbook. She attended several culinary courses and shared her knowledge with family and friends through hosting gourmet meals and holiday celebrations. Her vast cookbook collection was an indicator of her culinary interest. She was a firecracker of energy, humor, and love. 

Jan served many years as a volunteer for the St. Peter Area Food Shelf and assisted with boy scout events. She enjoyed spending time with friends at birthday club, playing bridge, and reading (including e-books). She enjoyed spending time at their cabin on Lake Manuella, reading in the backyard, and enjoyed traveling with Vern to Hawaii, Australia, and other ventures as well as cruises. When asked for her best advice about life, she replied, “Be kind and say thank you.”

Thank you to the staff at Benedictine Senior Living in St. Peter and the Mayo Clinic hospice care team. Memorials preferred to the St. Peter Area Food Shelf, 201B 3rd Street, St. Peter, MN 56082 (www.stpeterfoodshelf.com) or Vasa Lutheran Church, 15235 Norelius Road, Welch, MN 55082.