Rita Lynn Olson

Rita Lynn Olson, née Degrote, a woman of indomitable spirit and boundless grace, passed away on April 23, 2026, in Tucson, Arizona. Born on December 26, 1956, in the welcoming town of Willmar, Minnesota, Rita’s journey was marked by extraordinary resilience and unwavering courage.

From an early age, Rita demonstrated a strength that would define her life. At the tender age of nine, in 1965—a time before the digital revolution and the advent of modern medical miracles—she underwent her first open heart surgery. This was only the beginning of a lifelong battle with heart disease, during which she bravely faced five open heart surgeries, including a full heart transplant in 2011. Through each challenge, she showed an unparalleled fighting spirit, inspiring all who were privileged to know her.

Rita’s heart was not only resilient but also generous and warm. She was born and raised in Willmar, Minnesota, a community that shaped her values and nurtured her loving nature. It was here that she met the love of her life, Douglas Olson. Their union, solemnized with joy and devotion on May 21, 1976, at Calvary Church in Willmar, was a testament to enduring partnership and shared dreams. Together, they built a family grounded in affection, laughter, and mutual respect.

Her passions were many, yet she found special delight in the simple pleasures of life. Baking desserts was one of her artistic outlets, a way she infused sweetness into the lives of family and friends alike. Even more cherished were the moments spent playing cards with her children and grandchildren—a tradition that brought warmth, laughter, and togetherness to their family gatherings.

Rita leaves behind her devoted husband, Douglas Olson; their beloved daughter Tamara Olson; son Jason Olson, along with his wife Villarosa Olson; and her treasured grandchildren, Makayla Olson and Leila Olson. These lives will carry forward her legacy of love, strength, and kindness. They were the joy of her days and the light of her heart.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Francis and Wilamine Degrote; dear Jessica Krueger and Richard Olson; and her nieces Shelby Johnson and Hellen Olson. Though no longer with us, their memories remain interwoven with Rita’s indelible imprint on the hearts of those who loved her.

Rita Lynn Olson’s life was a remarkable narrative of perseverance and warmth. Her story stands as a beacon of hope and a tribute to the power of the human spirit. In remembering her, we honor a remarkable woman whose heart, both literally and figuratively, was a profound testament to courage, devotion, and love.