Marcia Olney

Marcia Nygaard Olney was born November 2, 1939, in Flaxton, North Dakota, to Norman and Mereith Nygaard. She was the first granddaughter of both the Urton and Nygaard families, and the eldest of four siblings.

Marcia fulfilled her parents' dream for their children to have adventure and higher education, receiving her Master's Degree in Education from Arizona State University. Not only was Marcia a member of MENSA, but she entered as a championship ASU archer, culminating in her qualifying as a finalist for the Stockholm Olympic trials.

She was the President of the American Federation of Teachers a Local Chapter, and she was a leader in a pivotal teacher's strike in Claremont, California. Marcia was a founder of The School of Claremont in California and was a high school teacher for 15 years. She was accomplished in many areas as a leader and activist in education, business and was a member of the American Massage Therapists Association, holding certification in several states.

Before becoming a regional Economic Director in North Dakota, she created the Lunch Box Cafe and Rise and Shine Bakery in Flaxton. She also founded three health and wellness centers in Arizona, from Yuma to the Fountain of Youth Health Spa. Marcia was also a partner and co-owner of the Rex Ranch Resort and Meeting Center.

Marcia started life as the daughter of farmers and became the proud wife of a farmer, when she married Clair Lee Olney, on November 23, 1974. Dwelling in North Dakota, Arizona, and California, she owned a beloved cabin on Mt. Baldy in the San Gabriel Mountains and lived later with her husband, Clair, on the Olney and Nygaard Farms in Burke County, as well as multiple places in the sun of the southwest winters. She was a mother and grandmother to many, and with the passing of the preceding generation, embraced the role of matriarch of the Urton and Nygaard families.

Marcia moved to Valley City, ND, in the fall of 2014, to be closer to her family and to keep a close eye on the Valley City Vikings baseball team. She made her home at The Legacy Place.

Marcia was deeply devoted and available to her friends, connecting with dynamic, talented and life changing people. Cat lovers, poets, authors, educators, activists, musicians, spiritualists, healers and people from around the world. Marcia's glad and open get-together energy meant she formed bonds that lasted from childhood through her lifetime. Marcia represents open minded potentiality and generosity of spirit doing for everybody. But perhaps the part of Marcia we will miss most is the sound of her voice filling the room with song in perfect tone.

She is survived by her children, Casey (Kari) Olney, Larry (Judy) Olney, Joyce Olney and Brenda (Tom Pence) Olney; twelve grandchildren; many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and her three siblings, Leland, Connie Ann (John), and Patricia. Clair preceded her in death on January 28, 2001.

In the presence of her family, singing songs, Marcia passed away peacefully Wednesday, October 3, 2018, in Sanford Health, Fargo, ND, at seventy-eight years of age.

A family time of remembrance was held and there will be a Celebration of Life in the summer of 2019, in Flaxton.