Alice Olson-Byron

Alice Olson-Byron, 81, of Cavalier, ND passed away on Sunday, February 21, 2010, at the Wedgewood Manor, Cavalier. Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 25, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. at the Cavalier Presbyterian Church, Cavalier, ND. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 24th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Jensen-Askew Funeral Home, Cavalier, ND. In lieu of flowers friends and family are invited to contribute to a musical scholarship that will be established in her name.
Alice Adele Sandgren was born May 24, 1928, in Winnipeg, Manitoba to Ames and Olga (Lutz) Sandgren. She grew up on a farm near Bathgate, ND and graduated from Bathgate High School. Alice attended Aakers Business College in Grand Forks and then worked for Swift in St. Paul, MN.
On April 24, 1948, she married Keith Olson. After their marriage, they farmed in the Bathgate area. They lived in Bathgate until 1969, and then moved to Cavalier. Keith died in November of 1981.
Alice was an Elder in the Bathgate Presbyterian Church and often provided music as an organist and vocal soloist. She loved sharing her musical talents with others in the Handbell Choir and playing programs for nursing homes in the area. She was active in District 11 Republican Women, Homemakers, Pioneer Daughters, and the American Legion Auxiliary. She was a 4-H leader and PTA President.
She served for 26 years in the North Dakota House of Representatives in Bismarck. She was Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee for several terms. Alice also served on the Board of Directors for the International Peace Garden and was President of the Northeast North Dakota Heritage Association for 10 years.
Alice retired from the State Legislature in 1998, and married Alfred Byron on October 24th of that year. They both enjoyed serving on the Board of the Heritage Center at Icelandic State Park as well as traveling and family events.
Survivors include her husband, Alfred; children, Linda (Jim) Dupre, Rapid City, SD and Douglas (Mary Beth) Olson, Cavalier, ND; grandchildren, Traci (Justin) Elder, Tricia Olson (fiancée, Stasha Ler), Tyler Olson, Danielle Dupre, and Tori (Greg) Dupre-Wilson; great granddaughter, Alexandra Wilson; stepchildren, Alfred (Carrie) Byron, Joan (Ernie) Olson, Kathy Stokke, Ralph (Pam) Byron, Gerald (Lisa) Byron, Norine (Bill) McDevitt, Lila (Ross) Blair, and Joyce (Scott) Hansen, 24 step-grandchildren, and 30 step-great grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were her parents, sister, Ruth Mandery and brother, John Sandgren.
Clergy: Rev. John Werth.
Casket Bearers: Kelly Brown, Alfred Byron, Jr, Gerald Byron, Ralph Byron, Mark Ramsay, and Tim Timian.
Music: Lon Flage, Dave McCurdy, Charlie Morrison, Kirk Morrison, Quartet; Jan Morrison, Accompianist; Cleone Whelan, Organist.