Mary Jean (Burroughs) Olson

Heaven gained another angel when our beloved Mary Jean (Burroughs) Olson ascended to Glory on Saturday, January 13, 2024. She was 89 years old.

Mary Jean was born in Zimmerman, MN, on July 16, 1934 to Esther (Magney) Burroughs and James Burroughs, Sr. Esther and James soon moved their growing family to Princeton, MN, where they purchased a small home in town. Mary Jean had three siblings: Robert, James, Jr., and Steven. She loved growing up in Princeton, and is a high school graduate of the Class of 1952.

Though her roots were in Princeton, Mary Jean left when she met and married her first husband, Richard “Dick” Allyn Fylstra, Sr., of Milaca, MN. Dick’s work in lumber and engineering required extensive traveling, and the couple moved many times, living in several states during their married years, including New Jersey, Connecticut, and Washington state. Mary Jean and Dick welcomed three children: Jodi, Richard, Jr., and Jeffrey. When their marriage ended, Mary Jean brought her children back to Princeton where she knew they would all have the love and support of her family and friends. Mary Jean’s top priority was her children. She wanted them to experience the pride of small-town living and to nurture lifelong friendships, just as she was able to do.

Mary Jean held many clerical positions during her lifetime. When she left Princeton, she worked for Johnston’s TV and Appliance, Physicians and Hospital Supply, City Service Gas, and several other companies. Once moving back to Princeton, she worked at Trinity Lutheran Church, Tim’s Plumbing, and local radio station WQPM. If you called the radio station in the 1980’s, it was most likely Mary Jean’s warm voice that welcomed you.

Mary Jean was very social, and you couldn’t accompany her anywhere around Princeton when she didn’t run into someone she knew. She had a love of music and dancing, and you could find her on the dance floor at local establishments most weekends enjoying time with her many friends. She found her next love and dance partner when she met Duane “Ole” Olson. She and Duane had been classmates, and they soon found out they had more than just dancing in common. Duane and Mary Jean were married in 1990. They enjoyed every moment of their life together, which included dancing, gardening, cooking, travel, and family time with their combined families. They were married for 29 years, until Duane’s passing in 2020.

Mary Jean was a very spiritual person, and she was eternally grateful for all that God had given her. She was content living a quiet and simple life in her hometown of Princeton. Her smile, laugh, and sense of humor were contagious, and she lit up the room with her love of life. She touched the lives of so many people. She will be truly missed and will never, ever, be forgotten.

Mary Jean was predeceased by her parents; brother, Jim Burroughs, Jr.; infant sister, Barbara; and husbands, Duane and Richard.

Mary Jean is survived by her two brothers, Steven (Marilyn) Burroughs of Princeton, MN, and Robert (Maxine) Burroughs of Beatrice, NE; sister-in-law, Deb Burroughs of Austin, MN; daughter, Jodi (Steve) Nichols of Oakdale, MN; and sons, Richard Fylstra, Jr., and Jeffrey Fylstra of Princeton, MN; stepchildren, Al (Shirley) Olson and Rick (Jeannette Grace) Olson; grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Special thanks and gratitude are extended to friends, neighbors, and family members who checked on Mary Jean frequently in her later years, and who enabled her to remain in her beloved home until her call to Heaven. Much appreciation and thanks to St. Croix Hospice for their compassion during her last days, and to the staff of Princeton Elim Home for their loving care.

A private graveside ceremony will be held at Bellwood Cemetery, Zimmerman, MN, at a later date. Mary Jean will be laid to rest at the family site, joining her sister, parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. A Celebration of Life will be planned for this summer, where family and friends can come together to share stories, laughter, and maybe some dancing.

The family deeply appreciates your prayers during this difficult time. Memorial donations may be sent to Trinity Memorial Fund (Endowment in memo), 111 6th Avenue North, Princeton, MN 55371.