Olson, Jendean Norma (Hegg) - Died 2024

OLSON, HEGG, SERSLAND, LUBERGER, PAVELKO

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 12/28/2024 at 13:01:58

Jendean Norma (Hegg) Olson, 79, of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin died Dec. 23, 2024, at Door County Medical Center.

Jendean was born to John O. and Norma (Sersland) Hegg in Decorah, Iowa. Her family farm was established in 1853, the same year as Ephraim Moravian Church. From any vantage point on that farm the tall spire of her home church, Washington Prairie Lutheran Church, was clearly visible. The church was at the very center of her life. It was there that she was baptized and confirmed.

Jendean attended a one-room school for her first eight grades and then continued in Decorah graduating in 1963. She then entered Luther College completing a degree in music education. While at Luther, she was a member of the Luther College Nordic Choir. Immediately upon graduation, Jendean traveled with the choir for seven weeks during which time the choir presented a concert in East Berlin and traveled by boat along the whole coast of Norway. Also, while at Luther College she served as a music Librarian and reader of children’s stories at KWLC radio.

It was at Luther College that Jendean met her future husband, Dan, to whom she was married in August of 1967. In the fall of 1967, Jendean and Dan moved to St. Paul, Minnesota where she began her teaching career in Elementary Music Education in the Columbia Heights Public Schools. In time, she taught music in New Richmond, Merrill, Sturgeon Bay and Algoma Public Schools. While Dan served in three congregations, Jendean was heavily involved with the music programs both as organist and choir director, retiring from active service from Ephraim Moravian Church. In addition, she gave dozens of private piano lessons.

Together Jendean and Dan have three children: Andrew, Angela (Chad) Olson-Luberger and Aaron (Sarah). They have six grandchildren: Anika, Audrey, Aria, Anders, Elsa and Stanley. Jendean is also survived by a sister, Ilene (Ray) Pavelko, West Salem, Wisconsin and brother John (Mary) Hegg, Decorah; and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

A memorial service was held Saturday, Dec. 28, at the Ephraim Moravian Church. Burial was at Bayside Cemetery.

Source: Decorah Newspapers Dec. 26, 2024