Ruth Ann Olson

Ruth Ann Olson, 90, passed away Thursday, August 7, 2014 at her home in Lava Hot Springs.

She was born July 3, 1924 in Pocatello, Idaho, the eldest of three children to Arthur J. and Kathryn A. McGuinn Fagnant. She grew up on the Fagnant ranch in Lava Hot Springs, graduated from Lava High School in 1942, and attended several classes at Idaho State University. A year later she got her first job as an office girl and secretary at the high school.

In 1945, she went to work as an Administrative Staff Secretary and District Treasurer at Class-A School District #21 in Arimo, Idaho, a position she held for ten years. At the same time she was working for the school district, she worked as Clerk for the City of Lava Hot Springs. In 1954, she went to work as a Customer Accounting Clerk for Utah Power & Light office in Lava Hot Springs, where she was employed for fourteen years. On January 31, 1969, Ruth Ann married the love of her life, a tall, handsome Swede from Virginia, Idaho by the name of Arlin G. Olson. They enjoyed thirty-three years together on the Fagnant Ranch in Lava until Arlin's death in 2001.

Ruth Ann was working as a Tourist Information Clerk for the Lava Chamber of Commerce, when the South Bannock County Historical Center was organized in 1980. She was appointed the museum's founding Director, and she devoted her life to preserving the history of South Bannock County, procuring the support of the Idaho Humanities Council, Idaho State Historical Society, and Idaho State University. She co-authored and published several books on prominent local historical figures, receiving both state and national recognition for her work, and in 2012 she was distinguished with a City of Lava Hot Springs Mayoral Proclamation recognizing January 14 as Ruth Ann Olson Recognition day.

Ruth Ann served as Secretary for the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #88, Our Lady of Lourdes Altar Society, Lava Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce, and the Lava Business and Professional Women's Club. She served as District Vice President of the Business Professional Women's Club, and she served as Liturgical Music Ministry Director and organist for Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church for fifteen years; this all while being a devoted wife, daughter, sister and friend. Ruth Ann is preceded in death by her husband, Arlin, both parents, two brothers, Gene and Jerry, and a niece, Maureena Fagnant Blackwell. She is survived by three nephews, Frank (Debbie) Fagnant, Russell (Neil Ragan) Fagnant, and Kenneth (Julie) Fagnant, and many great nieces and nephews.

Ruth Ann's family will receive friends at a viewing and visitation from 5:00-6:00 pm on Monday, August 11, 2014, followed by a Holy Rosary at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 132 So. First St. West, Lava Hot Springs, ID.

A funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Lava Hot Springs, 1:00 pm Tuesday, August 12, 2014, and the family will, again, receive friends at a visitation for one hour prior to Mass. Graveside services will follow at the Lava Hot Springs Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Manning-Wheatley Funeral Chapel, 510 N. 12th Ave.