Catherine Therese (nee, Style) Olson, 96, of Brainerd passed away peacefully on May 9,2026 at Northern Lakes Senior Living in Baxter, Minnesota, with her loving family at her side.

Cathy was born in Fairmont, Minnesota to Mary M. (Tobin) and Glenmore R. Style. Cathy was the tenth of twelve children. She attended St. Paul Convent School and graduated from Fairmont High School in 1947. She worked at J.C. Penny Co. from 1945-1950. Catherine married Bob Olson in 1950 and started out their happy life of 65 years in Wilmont, Minnesota, later moving to Owatonna in 1962 and then to Brainerd in 1972.

There were many volunteer organizations Cathy belonged to. Along with her husband, Bob, she was president of the Home School Association of St. Mary's/Marian School in Owatonna. While in Brainerd she was Regent of the Daughters of Isabella, president of the Council of Catholic Women of St. Francis, president of CCW of the Diocese of Duluth. An organization she joined at age 15 with encouragement from her mother. She attended yearly conventions with this national organization from the 1980s until 2014. Other areas of interest and participation were the St. Francis choir, instruction of religious education, as well as being active in the Birthright organization. Other accomplishments were chairperson of the Appalachian program at its inception in 1999. Project Africa was started by Cathy with the help of Father Carroll Houle and the Duluth Diocese. They collected funds for the Maryknoll priests in Africa beginning in 1984.

Along with the volunteer organizations Cathy ran the Party Corner in the mezzanine of Hardware Hank for several years.

Cathy is preceded in death by her husband Bob Olson; her daughter, Jenny Hoffmann; her grandson, Evan Olson and Anthony Hoffmann; brothers, Rodney, James, Bob, Gerald, William, Charles, Jerome, and Vincent; and sisters, Sister Margaret Clare Style and Mary Finney. She is survived by one sister, Elizabeth Sullivan; 10 children: Julie (Jim) Kaul, Mark, Steve, Jonny, Mary Beth (Tom) Luckemeyer, Lisa Morgan,

Eric (Juli), Ellen (John) Fussy, Therese (Steve) Johnson, and Chris (Laurie); grandchildren, Elizabeth (Paul) Lann, Andrew Kaul (Tara), William Kaul (Jessica), Patrick Kaul (Jessica), Ahnna (Jason) Wing, Joe Morgan (Jane), Tommy Morgan, Carston Olson (Ruth), Blake Olson, Catherine (Jon) Holmers, Bethany (Anthony) Retica, Rylie (Eric) Weber, Mason Fussy (Laura), Reno Fussy (Madisyn), Gabe Olson, Elise Olson, Isaiah Olson, Eric Johnson (Nicole), Luke Johnson, Nate Olson, Erin Olson, and Megan Olson; 23 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at St. Francis Catholic Church at 404 9th Street North in Brainerd. A Rosary will be said at 10:00 a.m. followed by a visitation starting at 10:30 a.m. A luncheon will follow. A private, family interment will be held at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery.

The family requests memorials to St. Francis of the Lakes Catholic School 817 Juniper Street Brainerd, Minnesota.