Claire Leone Olson

Claire Leone Olson, 82, of Duluth, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 13, 2022, surrounded by family members at Elysian Senior Homes in Duluth Heights.  She was born on February 22, 1940 in Duluth, MN to Clarence and Ruth Opien. Claire was a graduate of Hermantown High School. She met the love of her life, Jim, at the A&W Drive Inn at the corner of Hwy 53 and Arrowhead Rd. They were married in 1957 and spent 61 years raising their family. When Jim joined the US Navy, the couple moved to California and they returned to Twig in 1961.

After working as a stay-at-home mom during her kids’ school years, Claire worked as an educational assistant at Caribou Lake School and an assistant in the alternative education program at Proctor High School, retiring in 1996.

Claire loved being an active member of the Bethlehem Lutheran church in Twig, where she participated in LCW, quilt club and the choir. She also taught Sunday school and helped with the vacation bible school drama camp.

Claire was preceded in death by her husband, Jim; parents; and brother, Dayton “Sonny” Opien.

Claire will be dearly missed by her sons, Jim (Judy), Tom (Becky), and Steve (Sheri) Olson; daughter, Susie (Paul Hicks) Givens; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were her pride and joy, Kevin (Britt and daughters, Alex & Aurora Claire), Jason (Christine and daughter, Solvi), Kyle, Chad, Hailey, Reed (Marisa) and Sera Olson, and Sam and Jake (Katie) Givens; sister, Carol Bjorlin; twin sister, Claudia Anick; and many nieces and nephews.

A special thanks to the staff at Elysian Senior Homes that provided excellent care and support during Claire’s time there.

Visitation to be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, June 20th at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 6537 Industrial Rd, Saginaw, with Funeral Service to follow at 3:00 PM. A time of fellowship will follow. Interment at Grand Lake Cemetery, Twig.

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