Sarah O. (Olsen) Virta

GARDNER – Sarah O. (Olsen) Virta, 96, of 23 Wasa Street, Gardner, died peacefully Saturday afternoon, November 5th in Baldwinville Nursing Home, with her family at her side.

She was born in Fredrikstad, Norway on December 12, 1914, daughter of the late Jens and Hannah (Johanson) Olsen and came to this country at the age of 11.  She lived in Templeton for several years and has lived in Gardner since her marriage.

Sarah worked for many years as a cook at the former Olsen’s Restaurant in East Templeton.  She previously worked for several years at the former Heywood Wakefield Furniture Company.  She was a member of the former Immanuel Lutheran Church and later the First Congregational Church of Gardner. Her hobbies included knitting sewing, crocheting, painting, weaving, playing the organ and reading.  Her greatest enjoyment came from spending time with her family.

Her husband, Herbert F. Virta, died in 1988.  She leaves three daughters, Joan Storm and her husband Glenn of Gardner, Elizabeth Strong and her husband Ralph of Gardner and Sally Virta of Albion, RI and five grandchildren, five great grandchildren and many nephews and nieces.  In addition to her husband, Sarah was predeceased by three sisters, Esther Jensen, Dagne Virta and Ragna Richards, and four brothers, Ole Olsen, Hans Olsen, Carl Jensen and Hartvig Olsen.

A private memorial service will be held in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon, MA.

Burial will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Gardner.

Memorial donations may be made to the Patients Activities Fund of Baldwinville Nursing Home, PO Box 24, Baldwinville, MA 01436.

www.stone-ladeau.com

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