Barbara Olson

Barbara L. Bailey Olson, 52 of Winona passed away in her home on Wednesday, December 12, 2018.

She was born December 7, 1966 in Bloomington, MN to Ed and Ann Bailey.  She was united in marriage with Greg (Skip) Olson on September 24, 1994 in Winona, MN.

Barb was a 1985 graduate of John F. Kennedy High School in Bloomington, MN and a 1990 graduate of Winona State University with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Economics.  In 2012, Barb graduated with honors from the nursing program at Minnesota State College Southeast.

Barb and Skip raised two wonderful, loving children; Taylor E. Olson, 22, a 2018 graduate from Winona State University with a degree in Biology, and Bailey E. Olson, 17, a high school senior at Winona Senior High.

Barb found her passion in caring for the elderly, taking after her mother.  She enjoyed any time that she could spend with them and they loved her for it. Barb loved to travel. Jamaica was one of her favorites and she accompanied Taylor to Italy and Greece for a class trip.  She was well-known for her cooking skills, especially soup!  Barb was always the first one to offer a home-cooked meal for anyone in need or any family gathering.  She was often described as beautiful, with dancing eyes and an infectious laugh and smile.

Barb is survived by her children, Taylor Olson, Bailey Olson and her former husband, Greg (Skip) Olson.  Her brother, Stephen (Lorrie) Bailey, and their children: Briana (Peter) Singer, Brigitte; sister, Pamela (Anthony) Mazzini, and their son, Anthony (Korrin) Anderson, and their children: Braeden, Colbin and Acelynn; sister, Mary Beth (Randy) Williams, and their son, Christopher (Kristi) Williams, and their children, Devin, Joshua and Matthew; and their daughter, Shannon Wilson, and her son, Lee.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 2:00 pm on Saturday, January 19, 2019, at St. Casimir’s Catholic Church in Winona.  The Very Reverend Mark C. McNea will officiate.  Visitation will be held at the church from 1:00pm until the time of the Mass.  There will be a reception following the service in the church hall.

In lieu of flowers it is respectfully requested a donation be made to the Winona Area Humane Society.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Barb’s family at wwww.watkowski-mulyck.com

Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.