Heather R. Olson

Heather Rana Olson, 53, of Aberdeen, SD, died Saturday, May 31, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen, with family at her side.

Heather Rana Olson was born May 30, 1972, the original Memorial Day, to Larry and Zona (Habeck) Olson, at Vallejo, CA. She attended Loma Vista School. Moving to South Dakota in 1974 she attended “School of Hope.” When Heather was seven, she had heart surgery and through complications received tracheotomy. Heather later worked at Aspire and lived in various Aspire homes in Aberdeen. Her family is especially grateful for all the caregivers that loved Heather. She was treated as family and loved everyone. Her spirit lives on in all the love she shared with a smile. Her smile, humor, and laughter will be missed.

Heather was a people person, loved being with family and friends, and loved Jesus. She liked to go to hockey games. Holidays were special to Heather, especially Halloween and Christmas. She loved Christmas Eve with candlelit services and singing Silent Night. She loved her birthday and shared many of them with her cousin who had a birthday the day after Heathers.

Heather’s family would like to thank her Aspire family, loving care givers, Avera doctors and nurses and staff, and all who held her up in prayers.

Heather leaves behind her mother, Zona Schanzenbach (Steve Gebur); father, Larry (Sue) Olson; brother, Chad (Candi) Olson; stepbrothers: Melvin (Karen) Schanzenbach and Tod Schanzenbach; half-sisters: Erin (Lance) Tarver and Emily (Clint) Richardson; and many nieces and nephews:

Preceding Heather in death are her stepfather, Mearl Schanzenbach, and her maternal and paternal grandmas and grandpas, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

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