Josephine Mildred Olness was born March 14, 1946 on the family farm near Gonvick, MN the daughter of the late Gorde and Viola (Johnson) Olness. She attended rural schools near there. Following her education she worked as a nanny in the McIntosh area. Josephine married Brian Kelly. The couple made their home in Bagley, MN where she worked as a CNA at the Good Samaritan Center in Bagley and Crookston, MN. Three children were born of this union; Tammy, Pete and Cindy. She later married Bruce Bourque and the couple made their home in Clearbrook, MN. Bruce passed away in 1996 and Josephine moved to Edinburg, ND shortly after his passing. She worked at Marvin Windows in Grafton until retiring in 2009.
Josephine enjoyed quilting, sewing and baking cakes.
She is survived by her children: Peter (Joyce) Kelly, Park River, ND; Cindy (Chris) Vargason, Edinburg, ND; step-daughter, Julie Bourque, Brooklyn Center, MN; son-in-law, Daniel Olson, Edinburg, ND; six grandchildren: Andrew (Samantha) Olson, Elizabeth (Tyler) Needham, Tanner (Kaylan) Kelly, Casey & Cylen Vargason and Hope Rivers; five great grandchildren; siblings: Shirley Delage, McIntosh, MN; John (Sheri) Olness, Superior, WI; Luem (Rose) Olness, Andover, MN; Gorde (Rita) Olness, Clearbrook, MN and Vi Myklejord, Fosston, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, daughter Tammy, three sisters and one brother.
Funeral services will be Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 2:00 PM at the Grace Free Lutheran Church of Edinburg, ND. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church.