Olive Krebsbach, age 91, of Mahnomen, MN, died on Friday, April 5, 2024, at the Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home.
Olive, the daughter of Leonard and Mabel (Kindseth) Slette, was born on September 7, 1932, in Mahnomen. She, along with her older brother, Marvin, and younger sister, Teddy, were raised on the family farm and attended school in Faith, MN. Olive was baptized, confirmed, and later married at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Faith. Following graduation with the Class of 1950 from Mahnomen High School, she entered the workforce. After working only a short time, Olive married the love of her life, Delmar Krebsbach, on June 9, 1951. Together they raised eight children on their farm 11 miles east of Mahnomen. She was an active farmwife, milking cows, drying grains, and bringing big, delicious meals out to the field. Olive raised a large garden and canned many quarts of fruits and vegetables, especially known for her dill pickles which everyone loved. Along with the seasonal canning and farmwork, she also made 7-10 loaves of homemade bread and many dozen cookies each week.
Upon their retirement, Delmar and Olive moved into Mahnomen where they built a home. They planted evergreens and moved all the rocks into town for her new rock gardens. She had a knack for raising African Violets and had many beautiful flower and rock gardens. Olive beamed with pride when the Garden Club and other onlookers came to admire her picturesque yard. She was able to tend to her flowers and vegetable gardens and continued canning for many years after retirement. Olive’s hands were never idle as she spent hours knitting, sewing, quilting, and crocheting. She made clothing, hats, mittens, barbie clothing, baby blankets and many-many hand towels. In addition to other crafts, Olive made and donated over 1000 masks during the Covid pandemic. She also loved to play cards and was always ready for a game. Olive was an active member of the First Lutheran Church in Mahnomen where she served on the ladies’ aid for many years. She also volunteered her time with the Helping Hands Food Shelf, the Jingle Bell Shop and provided haircare at the nursing home for those in need. By far, Olive cherished her family above everything else. She tenderly cared for her parents as they aged and cherished spending time with her own children and grandchildren. She kept track of anniversaries and birthdays, always calling each year to sing Happy Birthday over the phone, a great gift treasured by all. After 50 plus years of marriage, Delmar passed away on Christmas Day, 2004. Olive remained in their family home until selling in February of 2022, when she moved into the assisted living in Mahnomen. Her hobbies later in life included Bingo every Monday and Friday, Penny Bingo at the Senior Center with Marge and Gary, and an occasional trip to the Casino. Olive continued her handiwork and making crafts, often selling them at area craft fairs and even hosting a little sales booth at the nursing home. She will be fondly remembered by family and friends for her sweet smile, kind heart, and generosity.
Olive is survived by four sons: Allan (Renee) of Waubun, MN, Ken (Annette) of New Prague, MN, Wayne of Corvallis, OR, and Steve (Jeannie) of Waubun; two daughters, Joanne Schultz of West Fargo, ND, and Tammy (Leonard) Foss of Mahnomen, MN; grandsons: Josh Krebsbach, Trevor (Rachel) Krebsbach, Mitchell (Taylor) Foss, Nick (Becky) Krebsbach, Andy Krebsbach, Adam Starkey, and Michael (Ashley) Schultz; granddaughters: Janis (Eric) Francis, Shelly (Eric) Krebsbach, Madi (Dusty) Roy, Emily (Jace) Schultz, Hannah (Chance) Foss, and Abby (Nate) Krebsbach; 12 great grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; her sister-in-law, Helen Slette; and many nieces and nephews.
Olive was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Delmar; son, David; daughter, Linda; sister and brother-in-law, Teddy and Bill; and her brother, Marvin.
A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at the First Lutheran Church in Mahnomen. Visitation will be held at the Anderson Family Funeral Home in Mahnomen on Friday, April 12, 2024, from 5:00-7:00 pm, with a Prayer Service beginning at 6:30 pm, and continue one hour prior to the Funeral at the church. Burial will take place at First Lutheran Cemetery, Mahnomen.
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