Mae Olson-Cromer

Mae Johanna Badje Olson-Cromer, 100, of Lyons died Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, at Oakland Heights.

She was born Jan. 22, 1909, in rural Decatur to Peter N. and Johanna (Stelling) Badje. She attended Elm Creek School. She married Clyde H. Olson on Jan. 22, 1930, in Omaha. They made their home near Bertha. In 1944, the family moved to the Schrader place halfway between Oakland and Lyons. Their eldest son, Leo, still resides on the home place. In 1959, Clyde and Mae moved to Lyons. They purchased and renovated the Curtis house which was located on the present site of Bethany Lutheran Church. All the members of their family were charter members of Bethany.

Clyde died March 13, 1967. She married George Cromer on July 1, 1978. He died March 7, 1982. She continued to reside in Lyons until failing health forced her to move to assisted living in Oakland. She lived at Oakland Heights the last years of her life.

She was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, Esther Chapter 208 O.E.S. and a 56-year member of the Lyons Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary.

Survivors include: four sons, Leo (and wife, Jackie) Olson, Gary (and wife, Ann) Olson, Leonard (and wife, Nancy) Olson, all of Lyons, and Gordon (and wife, Shirley) Olson of Oakland; a daughter, JoAnn (and husband, Jim) Shuey of Lincoln; 19 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

She also was preceded in death by three brothers, four sisters and a granddaughter.

The funeral will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Bethany Lutheran Church in Lyons with the Rev. Neal Mather officiating. Visitation will be from 1-8 p.m. Friday at Pelan Funeral Home in Lyons with the family receiving friends from 5-7 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to service time Saturday at the church. Burial will be in Lyons Cemetery.