Olina Ness was born near Bellingham, Lac Qui Parle Co., MN, to Guttorm and Guro (Faaberg) Ness on March 20, 1911, and baptized April 30, 1911. In 1923, at age 12, after finishing 5th grade, she moved with her family to Appleton, MN. There she grew up and was confirmed with 12 others at Zion Lutheran Church by Pastor E.S. Belgum on April 5, 1925, Palm Sunday. She graduated from Appleton High School in 1930. On January 5, 1933, she graduated from two years of Nurses training at the Dawson Surgical Hospital Training School for Nurses. On February 14, 1934, she completed one year of Advanced Nurses Training at the University of Minnesota Medical School Hospitals School of Nursing. She then rejoined the Nursing staff at Dawson Hospital as a General Duty Professional Nurse. She was a Licensed Registed Nurse in the states of Minnesota, California, Oregon, and Washington. On October 4, 1935, she married Arthur S. Nash. They lived in many places during their 60 years of marriage.
On Wednesday, January 12, 2000, Olina, at the age of 88, died at Bethesda Heritage Center, where she has lived since March of 1994.
She is survived by her husband, Arthur Nash of Willmar; three sons: Phillip (Ruth Ann) Nash of Springfield, VA, Paul (Mary) Nash of Rockford, IL, and John Nash of Paynesville, MN; one daughter, Kathy (Mike) Curry of Clearwater, FL; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild; two sisters: Helen Bjorgo of Starbuck, MN, and Janet Pugliano of Medford, OR; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers: Jens and Peder Ness; two sisters: Carrie in infancy and Anne Cederhold; and all of her uncles and aunts.