Ebba M. Kleeman Olson, 99, 0f Shawano, was welcomed into the arms of her Lord on Tuesday evening, Sept. 17, 2013. She passed away at Kindred Hearts Assisted Living Center in Shawano, where she had been a resident for the past five years.
Ebba was born on Dec. 24, 1913, in Franksville, a daughter of the late Arthur Peter and Marie (Sorensen) Svendsen. Her family moved back to Denmark in 1919, where they lived for a brief time, returning to the United States in 1923. The settled in Shawano, where her father owned and operated Svendsen’s Bakery, known more recently as Bult’s Bakery. In her father’s bakery is where Ebba’s business training began as a clerk.
She attended the Shawano schools, graduating from Shawano High School. On Jan. 28, 1924, Ebba was united in marriage to Arthur A. Kleeman in Shawano. The couple shared 27 years together before Arthur’s death in 1961. Together the couple owned and operated the Farmers Cold Storage on Richmond Street in Shawano until his death. Ebba then went to work as a bookkeeper for various firms until her retirement in 1981. On May 13, 1967, she was united to Leslie J. Olson sharing 31 wonderful years together until Mr. Olson passed away in 1998. The couple were avid gardeners and shared their bountiful harvest of fresh produce with many others, and they also enjoyed travelling.
Ebba has been a member of St. James Lutheran Church of Shawano since 1934 and served with the Tabitha Society, sang in the St James choir and attended Bible class regularly. She also served as voter deputy for several years.
In retirement, Ebba had the opportunity to pursue her lifelong interest in painting. She became an accomplished artist in oils and rosemalling. Her paintings, rosemalled items and Christmas ornaments are cherished keepsakes of many friends and family members. Over the years she brightened the day for many residents as a volunteer in the activity area at Birch Hill and Oakhaven health centers. She has donated numerous artwork and needlecraft items to various organizations.
Ebba is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Karel and James Hovelson, of Cornelius, N.C.; a son and daughter-in-law, Ervin and Dorothy Kleeman, of Center Point, Iowa. Ebb has seven grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandsons. She is further survived by nieces and nephews.
Ebba was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Janet, in 1947; a son, Richard Kleeman, in 1995; two brothers, Viggo and Gordon; and a sister, Mary Lederer.
Funeral services for Ebba Olson will be held on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013, at 11 a.m. at Schroeder-Mickelson Funeral Service of Shawano. Pastor Ted Andrada will officiate. Interment will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Shawano. Relatives and friends may call at Schroeder-Mickelson Funeral Service on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the hour of service. A memorial fund has been established in the name of Ebba Olson for the St. James Lutheran Church Radio Fund.
Online condolences may be shared at www.schroedermickelsonfuneralservice.com.
The family thanks the Staff at Kindred Hearts in Shawano for the compassion and care that Ebba had received the past five years.
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