Ardis J. Olson, 73, of Drayton, North Dakota passed away at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks on Wednesday, October 12, 2022. Ardis Jane Mattson was born in Grafton, North Dakota on May 12, 1949 the daughter of Elvin and Nina (Olson) Mattson. She graduated from high school in Grafton and attended cosmetology school in Fargo. After completing her education, she moved to Devils Lake where she met her future husband, Tony.
On September 12, 1969 she was united in marriage to Duane “Tony” Olson in Grafton. Ardis worked as bookkeeper at Peterson Oil in Drayton and in 1986 started her own bookkeeping business. Ardis ran her business until failing health forced her to stop working. Always involved in community organizations, she served as Mayor of Drayton for 4 terms, served on the board of Pembina County Social Services and many other boards and committees. Ardis also served on the gaming association, CGAND, a position she truly enjoyed. Ardis enjoyed swimming, staying at hotels, campfires and socializing with her dear friends.
Family members include her husband, Tony; children, Shad Olson, Drayton and Sheri (Nathan) Kuznia, Drayton; a grandson, Gunnar; sisters, Mardell Niswonger, Warsaw, ND and Bertha Ann ( George) Kasprick, Grand Forks; brothers, Allen Mattson, Fargo and Maurel (Sylvia) Mattson, Fargo; as well as nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Joann Veum; and brothers- in-law, Ronald and Laverne Olson, Dale Niswonger, and a sister-in-law, Hildegaard Mattson.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, Oct. 19th, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. in Drayton United Methodist Church. Interment will be in the Drayton City Cemetery. Visitation was held at the church for one hour prior to the service. Rev. Gary Johnson, presiding; Shirley VanCamp, organist; and Amber Brown, soloist. Honorary pallbearers were Ardis’ nieces and nephews. Austin Funeral Chapel, Drayton was in charge of the arrangements.