Mary Jo Olson, 83, a lifelong North End resident of Superior died Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, at Essentia Health St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth.

Mary Jo was born in Superior on April 6, 1941, the daughter of Regina and Bernard Eastman. She attended school at St. Louis, Central High School and Cathedral High School and eventually married Kenneth (Putta) Olson on Feb. 21, 1961. They were married for 54 years until Putta's passing on June 18, 2015.

Mary Jo loved Superior and wanted to help make the community an even better place to live through her work in the schools, sports, government service, and as a business owner.

Her working career included a Title I Aide at Ericsson and Central Jr. High, and then, along with Putta, owning and operating the Locker Room Bar & Grill for 16 years.

She was involved with women's softball in Superior for 30 years, serving as the league president and treasurer. The group's major accomplishment during that time was raising enough money for the construction of the Superior Women's Softball Field at the Hayes Court Complex.

Mary Jo also bowled on various teams from 1974-2017, served eight years on the Douglas County Board, and was a member of the Ericsson PTA, while her kids were in school.

Her greatest enjoyments were watching her grandchildren in all their activities and watching the Hallmark channel.

Mary Jo was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; sisters, Toni D'Arcangelo, Bernadine (Goo-Goo) Polaski and Peggy Johnson, and brothers Bernie and Willie.

Mary Jo is survived by her three sons, Kenny (Shannon) of Superior, Billy (Cindy) of Shoreview, Minn., and Bernie (Dawn) of Superior; grandchildren, Taylor, Emily (John) D'Jock, Addie, Evan, Casey Kozak, Cory Kozak, Erika and Lyvia; great grandson Abel Kozak; sister Betty Moe; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation is from 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 8, at Downs Life Celebration Center, 1902 N. 34th Street, and 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. service on Monday, Sept. 9 at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 820 Belknap St., Superior.

Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be her eight grandchildren.

If desired, memorials may be made to the Superior Scholarship Foundation for the Putta and Mary Jo Olson Scholarship, 3025 Tower Ave., Superior, Wis., 54880.

Special thanks to Mary Jo's special friend Mary Pezze, and the 18th floor staff at Essentia Health, especially Larkin and Kate, who was tremendous with our mother.