MAE JOHANNA OLSON-CROMER, 100 years of Lyons, Nebraska, passed away Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at Oakland Heights.

Mae was born January 22, 1909, in rural Decatur, Nebraska. She weighed less than two pounds and was the seventh child of Peter N. and Johanna (Stelling) Badje. Mae was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church. She attended Elm Creek School.

On January 22, 1930, Mae and Clyde H. Olson were united in marriage in Omaha, Nebraska. They made their home near Bertha, Nebraska. 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 the Bethany Lutheran Church. All the members of their family were charter members of Bethany.

Clyde passed away on March 13, 1967. Mae married George Cromer on July 1, 1978. They enjoyed traveling until George passed away on March 7, 1982.

Mae was active in various organizations, Bethany Lutheran Church, a member of Esther Chapter No. 208 O.E.S. and a 56 year member of the Lyons VFW Auxiliary.

She enjoyed playing cards and games with her family and friends. She was happiest when the dinner table was full and everyone could enjoy themselves with her cooking. No one could equal her fried chicken and her brownies.

Mae continued to reside in Lyons until failing health forced her to move to assisted living in Oakland, Nebraska. She lived at Oakland Heights the last years of her life, where she received loving and excellent care.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Clyde Olson and George Cromer; three brothers, Hans, Charles and Henry Badje; four sisters, Mary Jahnke, Ida Connealy, Elizabeth Connealy and Dora Andersen; and granddaughter, Dynette Betts Smith.    

Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Leo Olson and Jackie Olson, Gary Olson and his wife, Ann, Leonard Olson  and his wife, Nancy, all of Lyons, Gordon Olson and his wife, Shirley, of Oakland; daughter and son-in-law, JoAnn Shuey  and her husband, Jim, of  Lincoln, Nebraska; 19 grandchildren;  34 great grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren as wells as several nieces and nephews.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Saturday, November 7, 2009, 2:00 p.m. at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Lyons, Nebraska.

BURIAL: Lyons Cemetery

VISITATION: Friday, November 6, 2009, 1 - 8 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 5 - 7 p.m. at Pelan Funeral Home in Lyons. Visitation Saturday will be held at the church one hour prior to the service.

MEMORIALS in lieu of flowers to the donor's choice.

Please feel free to send your condolences to the family.
Each condolence will be printed and given to the family after the service.

pelanfuneralservices@hotmail.com