Ardis Mae Olson Amundson, 93, of Rice Lake, formerly of Cumberland and Thorp died May 24, 2025, at Brentwood Assisted Living in Rice Lake. She was born December 9, 1931, in Rice Lake, WI to Fred and Elvina (Swanson) Olson of Turtle Lake. She attended the Happy Corners Elementary School and graduated from Turtle Lake High School in 1949. She attended UW-Stout and graduated with a BS in Home Economics Education in 1953. She taught Home Economics from 1953-1955 in Thorp.

She was married in Zion Lutheran Church, Turtle Lake on July 24, 1954, to Dale Amundson who preceded her in death on March 18, 2011. In 1976, she earned an MS in Media Technology from UW-Stout and a Certificate in Library Science from UW-Eau Claire. She was a media director/librarian at the Stanley-Boyd Area Schools from 1977-1994 and moved to Cumberland on retirement.

She is survived by two daughters, Roberta (Rick) Freitag of Birchwood, WI and Patricia Lauria of Eden Prairie, MN; two sons, Michael (Donna) Amundson of Lake Elmo, MN and James Amundson of Barron, WI; six grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; sister, Gurine (John) Gall of Turtle Lake; one brother, William (Clara) Olson of Clayton; sisters-in-law: Caroline Amundson of Cameron, Jan Olson of Turtle Lake; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Beverly Gronlund of Duluth, MN; and two brothers: Tom Olson of Turtle Lake and Fred Olson Jr. of St. Louis Park, MN.

While in Thorp, she was a Girl Scout Leader and was active at St. Paul Lutheran Church. While in Cumberland, she was a member of the First Lutheran Church (Esther Circle and Quilters), Cumberland Women’s Club, Svenska (Swedish) Club of Amery, and Friends of the Library.

She was a life-long learner and attended many Elderhostel (Road Scholar) trips and other classes. Other hobbies included reading, biking, playing the piano, feeding the birds, flower gardening, genealogy, attending plays and movies, writing poetry, arts and crafts, and entertaining.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM June 27, 2025, at First Lutheran Church, Cumberland with Pastor Timothy Schmidt officiating. Private burial will be in Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Spooner. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial suggested to your local library.

Last Update: May 29, 2025 12:49 pm CDT