Cynthia Mary was born May 17, 1941 at Chippewa County Hospital, Montevideo, Minnesota to Alma Winifred (Quam) Jensen and John M. Jensen. She was baptized June 22, 1941 and confirmed March 18, 1956.

Cynthia attended a one room country school through sixth grade and graduated from Montevideo High School in 1959.

She was united in marriage to Cecil Olson on June 24, 1961 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Montevideo, MN.

Cynthia was a member of First Lutheran, Hector, MN where she taught Sunday School and served on the church council. She was a charter member of the Hector Lioness Club for 25 years, serving as president and secretary.

Over the course of her life, she worked in secretarial and administrative jobs for 35 years, retiring in 2005. Her hobbies included embroidery, reading, baking, fishing, volunteering, gardening, and spending time with her family.

In 2005, Cynthia moved to Roanoke, Virginia to be near her daughter and family. In 2007, the family moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia. Cynthia joined Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Virginia Beach, where she volunteered in the food pantry, the church office, with Tabitha’s Backpack, hosting coffee hours, and serving as an usher.

Throughout her life, her primary purpose was to ensure her children’s happiness. Her pride and joy were her children and grandchildren, who will miss her generous and kind smile, her quiet, unassuming presence, her easy-going spirit, her ginger cookies and lefsa, her common sense and practicality, and her feigned dislike of all our pets, especially the wonder-dog Murphy. The family will enjoy 5:00 toddies in her memory until the Canadian Windsor is gone.

Cynthia shared her life with her beloved husband Cecil 26 years, son Gregg, daughter Cathy (Scott) Mims, 2 grandchildren, James and Jacqueline Mims, in addition to her father and mother, her sisters and brothers, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Cynthia is preceded in death by her husband Cecil, son Gregg, and grandson Joel, her parents, and a sister. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on January 10, 2026 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1489 Laskin Rd., Virginia Beach. It will also be live streamed on Facebook. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in her memory to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.