Andrea Olsonawski
January 21, 1979 ~ June 23, 2020
Andrea “Andi” Lynn (Noel) Olsonawski, 41, Moorhead, MN died peacefully at home on June 23, 2020 surrounded by her family after a nearly five-year long cancer journey.
Andi was born January 21, 1979 in Thief River Falls, MN to Jeff and Peggy (Breiland) Noel. She grew up in Stephen, MN where she attended Stephen-Argyle Central participating in many extra-curricular activities, but track and field is where she excelled. She continued her track and field career at North Dakota State University where she pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Health. Andi enjoyed success on the NDSU track and field team earning All-American honors seven times. This fall Andi will be inducted into the NDSU Athletic Hall of Fame.
Not long after college, but seven years after their first date, Andi was united in marriage with Mark Olsonawski on May 17, 2002 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fargo, ND. They made their home in Moorhead where they had their 4 children: Noel, Aaron, Ryan, and Kate. Andi always said how thankful she was to stay home with her kids, and once they were all in school she had the opportunity to substitute teach. She was a cheerleader for her kids in their activities and a great supporter of JPII Catholic Schools. Andi loved to travel. She always enjoyed lake time with Mark and the kids and looked forward to her nearly annual trips to southern California to visit her best friend, Natalie. She was also active in: Positive Coaching Alliance, Angels Hockey, and American Heritage Girls.
Andi had the unique ability to make an impression on everyone she met. So encouraging to all, she knew how to “fill your cup” and would always turn the spotlight away from herself. If you spent more than 5 minutes with her, you knew simply to “Do your best, and let God do the rest!”
Andi is survived by her loving husband, Mark, children, Noel, Aaron, Ryan and Kate, mother, Peggy Noel, brother, Matt Noel, father- and mother-in law, Jerry and Carol Olsonawski, grandmother-in-law, Sophie Olsonawski, sister-in-law, Rachel (Brian) Hagen, brother-in-law Mike (Courtney) Olsonawski, sister-in-law Karen (Erick) Gubbels, her 13 nieces and nephews: Madi Kuznia, Kyra, Tyler, Niall and Quinlan Hagen, Parker, Asher, Paisley and Dash Olsonawski and Nicolette, Gunnar, Gianna and Sophie Gubbels, and best friend, Natalie Mickelson.
She was preceded in death by her father, Jeff Noel, grandparents, Clarence and Mae Breiland, Don and Trassia Noel, and niece, Carlie Hagen.
Private Family Services will be held at Sts. Anne and Joachim Catholic Church in Fargo. The Funeral Mass will be live streamed at 10 AM on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 – the Prayer Service will be live streamed at 7 PM Monday, June 29, 2020. A recording of both services will be available on our website after the services. Burial will take place at Holy Cross South Cemetery in Fargo.
DONATION AND FLORAL INFORMATION AS FOLLOWS:
If you choose to order floral tributes, please have them sent to Sts. Anne and Joachim Catholic Church in Fargo, delivered on Monday by 3 PM.
If you choose to send a memorial, please address to one of the following places the family has selected.
1. Stephen Argyle Central "Andi Scholarship"
Checks can be made out to SAC and in the memo they can just put Andi or Olsonawski Scholarship.
Mail to:
Stephen-Argyle Central
Attn: Kevin Kuznia
P.O. Box 68
Stephen, MN 56757
People can Call or text if any questions 218-478-3314
2. JP2 Catholic Schools
"Andi Scholarship"
Gifts can be made to the Andi Olsonawski Memorial Scholarship Fund to benefit students at St. John Paul II Catholic Schools.
Mail a check made out to:
JPII Schools to 5600 25th St. S, Fargo, ND 58104 or make gift online at www.jp2schools.org Click on Donate.
Write Andi Olsonawski on the memo line if sending check.
3. See the photo posted in the photo gallery for T-shirt and bracelet purchase information
4. NDSU Foundation
1241 University Dr N
PO Box 5144
Fargo, ND 58105
Checks made out to: NDSU Foundation with “Olsonawski Athletics Endowment” in the memo line.
www.ndsufoundation.com
Step 1) Click Donate Now
Step 2) scroll down and In the “designation” drop down select “other” and then in the information line type “Olsonawski Athletics Endowment”
Step 3) Click Add donation
*One additional option if you’d want to send Mark Olsonawski a check and note you want it to go to Scholarships.
Mark will put towards the Scholarship that needs it most after funds are collected to get scholarship completed. (If you don’t have a preference of either 3 scholarship options Mark will select on your behalf) Mark would be willing to do that for any of you as well.
Address:
Mark Olsonawski
3624 16th St S
Moorhead, MN 56560
Andi stories - If you have a story you would like to share privately with Mark and the family about Andi, please email Mark: molsonawski@gmail.com
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I am so very sorry for your loss. My heart is heavy as I lost my husband on June 13th to a Glioblastoma, he was 44 years old. I pray for peace, comfort and strength for your family in the coming days.
Dear Mark, Noel, Aaron, Ryan and Kate,
May the Lord wrap his loving arms around you and give you comfort as you grieve for Andi now and in the future. Please accept our deepest sympathy and prayers. -Dani and Steve Johnson family
Andi … you were simply the BEST! You were such a great example of a smart & willing community leader with a huge, warm heart and a wonderful mom / wife / friend! Thanks for allowing me to be your friend! You will be so missed … rest in peace!
What a joy to have known her. She showed us how to live our best life with God at the center. What a legacy! ❤️
All our love and prayers to the entire family.
Mark &kids;
Peggy and Matt and all family,
There are not enough words to express the loss this world now has without Andi. She will forever live in our memories, all of which bring warm feelings and smiles to our faces. She was a rare, humble gem and anyone who ever crossed her path would agree. We’ve been praying for her for all these years and our prayers will continue for you and your family.
Love,
Angie and Nate Smith
Condolences
What a lovely person. May never have known her if it wasn’t for RC Nelson. You all are great and will be remembered in pray forever!
Condolences to the family. Hugs and prayers to you all. May the Lord give you strength and comfort trhough this difficult time. Fly high with the angels, Andi, and may the perpetual light shine upon you.. With Love, The Mishnick Family
Mark and family- We are sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved Andi.I only met her a couple of times,but she was a kind-hearted lady. I am Janet Olsonawski’s sister. Remember all the memories. Prayers to all of you at this difficult time.
We are sadden by this news. Our Prayers and thoughts for peace are with Mark and family. God Be With Y’all.
Praying for you all! What a witness to faith your family is!
-Kristen Wirth & family
We are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers we love you. Shannon Wendy Hunter and family
With sincere sympathy. Andi was beautiful inside & out. Throughout the past 5 years she kept a positive attitude & was steadfast in her faith. Andi showed me the power of prayer & that miracles happen. My ❤️ goes out to you all.
our hearts hurt for you all. Your family and the world just didn’t have this wonderful woman long enough. I know that she had some big strong open arms of her daddy just waiting for her. Sending you all big hugs during these next hours, days, weeks, months, years as you’re learning a new normal in your lives. Life doesn’t make sense so much of the time, but there has to be a plan…….it does bring some piece.
You were an amazing witness during the short time that we knew you, Andi. Despite the suffering and challenges, you always radiated Christ’s light to others and we are grateful to have known you. Be assured of our prayers for you and your family!
Andi was a great young lady. Condolences to Mark, Noel, Aaron, Ryan and Kate.
Words cannot describe how sorry we are for your loss. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
~Mary, Tim and Dylan Halberstadt
So sorry for the loss of a fantastic person. Our hearts are with her husband, children and family..
Sending deepest sympathy to the family & friends that Andi’s passing affected. Prayers during this difficult. ♥️🙏
Mark, Noel Aaron, Ryan, and Kate, I am so sorry for your wife and Mom. I only knew her for a little time when I taught at Holy Spirit, but she touch my heart in that short time. She is the type of mother and wife that I hope to be for my own family. You all have been in our prayers once we found out about her cancer and you all will continue to be in our nightly prayers for years to come. I’m so sorry for this difficult time you’re going through. You are so blessed and loved. God bless you all.
Andi was a blessing to everyone who knew her, and will continue to be for all of us.
Andi was one of a kind. We knew each other through athletics at NDSU and bonded when our first kiddos were born. She and Mark were wonderful additions to our lives and I enjoyed our times together. Moving away from Fargo, we didn’t talk as much these past few years, but I always looked forward to Christmas cards and thought about the Olsonawski family often. Andi was an amazing lady who left a positive impression on everyone she met. She will be sorely missed here on earth, but take comfort in knowing she is dancing and happy with her Savior in heaven. ❤️
Andi was one of a kind. She saw the best in everyone and told them. She had a beautiful soul. Continued prayers for her awesome family and loved ones.
There are many staff members at Azool Hornbacher’s that knew this beautiful young lady and were touched by her strength and grace as she moved forward week after week. May you know that she showed us what a hero looks like. May Gods peace be with you and your family.
Hey Mark and Family,
I’m so very very sorry for Andi, I cannot even begin to imagine what you all are going through. Andi was so tough and she put up one heck of a fight. She was a special lady and I’m so sorry she’s gone. You all will be in my prayers. Please take care.
Mark-
I am so sorry for your loss. You and the kids will be in our thoughts and prayers.
All my Best.
Andi was such an inspiration to everyone. She always had a smile and concern for others. Our deepest sympathy and prayers for her family. God bless.
My family and I are hugging you all and loving on you all virtually. May you you feel Gods love and comfort during this difficult time. And IS amazing and there will be no one like her. She is already missed. Hugs and love.
Sincerely, Jami and family.
Andi has won her race. She will now sore with the Eagles.
Thinking of your whole family.
Hold on tight all the wonderful memories you have of her.
Andi was truly an inspiration to us all.
RIP Andi
I will be “watching” the services through Boulgers web site. And Prayers for all family members.
We are so very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time. Andi was such an inspiration to so many people. She has touched so many peoples hearts in so many different ways. She will be missed. Sending hugs and prayers to you all at this difficult time.
My sincere sympathy to the entire family of Andi! I have never known a more genuine, kind, sincere soul in my life. My initial meeting with her in person lasted way longer than I expected as she shared so many wonderful stories of her family and what they meant to her. Her amazing accomplishments in life as an athlete, mother, wife, daughter, and friend were nothing short of her amazing ability to love , give it her all, persevere, and as her saying goes, “Do your best, and let God do the rest”!
I will never forget you Andi!!!
Wonderful video.
It brought tears to my eyes.
Again I say, Andi truly was an inspiration to us all.
I am in awe of this awesome life that had Andi as a part of it. My heart breaks for the briefness of it, but her life made others’ better. She was created in a way to show Him to the world and she succeeded. I will miss her and hope to live my life a little better because of her example. Wishing all who knew her love and comfort as we journey on this earth without her physical presence.
Mark-
Shonda and I are thinking of you and praying for you and the kids. A wonderful soul is now the angels wings.
God Bless you all!!
Adam
Sending love and prayers for the entire family. Andi’s light and the witness both she and Mark have, and continue to be, will continue to grow in us all. Andi always made a point to visit me whenever our paths crossed, I am so very blessed by the conversations we had.
What a privilege to be a part of the celebration of Andi’s life through lifestream. Mark, Andi, and family, our deep heartfelt love and sympathies to you all. So many wonderful stories shared, so many lives touched. Andi chose to live her life in the service of others, servant leadership, a legacy left to all who knew her. While Andi will be missed greatly, her lifelong legacy of other-centeredness, kindness, and Godly example will live on through all of us. Our thoughts, prayers, and love are with you all.
Mark
Roy and I have certainly been blessed to know Andi and you. Andi had such a vibrant spirit and her compassion for others was certainly her faith in action. We pray for you and the family as you face the time without her, but as she lived so may you. That is what Andi would want! We too wish to honor Andi by strengthening our faith through Andi’s example. She was an angel on earth and now an even greater Angel in Heaven..
Our thoughts and prayers to Mark and kids, Peggy and Matt and Maddie. Andi was such a light. We enjoyed watching her grow into such a wonderful loving adult. Bill enjoyed teaching her and her class in Sunday School. She will be missed by the many people whose lives she brightened. Love and Hugs to all.
Bill and Edie Bartels and family
It was a beautiful Prayer Service for Andi. She will be forever loved and missed.♥️ Blessings to the entire Noel and Olsonawski families. We love you all!
I am so Honored to have met Andi this January.
In the very short time we spent together i new i was Graced with the presence of a Angel on Earth …
“Do you best and let God Do the rest “
Andi
I have been thinking about you for days now… you are such an amazing women, mom and friend. I’m thankful that I have another guardian angel.
Mark and Family (and Andi):
What a wonderful family of faith that you have been and remain. My heart is heavy right now for the lack of physical presence of Andi, but so joyful that she was able to be released from her physical pain to go on ahead and prepare for you with our Almighty God… Every day forward will forever remain one step closer to Andi and one step closer to being reunited. My prayers will continue for you in your journey ahead. God bless you always.
Peace, Lee, Di and Hoedl Family
Mark, Ryan, Kate, Aaron, and Noel,
I met Andi on behalf of her ‘sister’ and one of my closest friends, Natalie. I’m forever thankful for them letting me share and enjoy the light of their friendship when she visited California. I know you could feel how close the two of them are. They are a duo of fun, love, and spirit. I’m so lucky I was able to meet Kate here too! I hope to meet you all when you come out here. In the meantime, just know her California friends are sending you all our love, sunshine on hard days, and sending you grace on times of grief. Revel that she is happily your angel now.
In love and peace and patience till we see her again.
Love, Janine & Erik Weeks, and (my parents) Mike and Valerie Humphries
What a race Andi ran….She amazed me every moment from her fight, strength, faith, love, giving heart. Blessed be her memory. God is holding Mark and the family and friends left on this Earth until we meet again. Prayers..
A beautiful Funeral Mass today.
Wonderful songs & great readings.
Glad to watch it by Live Streaming.
Thinking of you and your family. Its hard to find the words to say, but I know I can pray.
Praying for the strength and comfort of our Lord to surround you and your family.
We have to trust in God’s will and know that your Angel will watch over you. My heart breaks
for your family. Jesus love you.
So sorry for your loss to Mark and the kids. It was a pleasure meeting your wife and mama, although I wish circumstances would have been different. May she rest in paradise. ❤️
Mark and children,mother Peggy
and brother Matt and all family. Our condolences to all of you. We are so grateful Curt could meet Andi after his SCA health event and share his Garden experience with her as he had shared with Sarah before her passing. Our love to you all as friends in Christ. Curt and Sandy Aamold