Charlotte Aamodt

COTTONWOOD — Charlotte Ann “Shi” Aamodt, 88, of Cottonwood, passed away peacefully Nov. 10, 2020, at Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall. Shi was born March 2, 1932, to Oscar and Ruth (Stark) Aanerud, and grew up in rural Donnelly.

Shi was the oldest of six children. As the oldest, she had many household and farm chores while often caring for her younger siblings. She enjoyed farm life and loved to ride her pony. Her love of music led her to start playing the pump organ for church as a teenager.

She attended high school (ag school) in Morris. Following ag school, Shi attended teacher’s college and taught country school in Marvin, SD, for two years.

While at ag school, Shi had met Robert “Bob” Olson, where they started dating. They were married on June 29, 1952. Bob and Shi had four children: Gary, Rick, Marcia, and Charlie. Bob died April 10, 1966, after a hard fought battle with cancer.

Shi met Stanley Aamodt at Christ Lutheran Church in Cottonwood. They were married July 20, 1969, the day that Neil Armstrong landed on the moon. In fact, when the church bells at Christ Lutheran were ringing for their wedding, some in Cottonwood thought it was to celebrate the lunar landing. Stanley and Shi’s son, Craig, was born two years later. Shi encouraged and helped all of her kids with their church activities, 4-H, boy scouts, school, college, and professional pursuits.

Shi was always very involved in church life. She served as a Sunday School and VBS teacher, played piano for church events, and served in leadership roles with the Women of the ELCA locally, synodically, and nationally. She was also active with Ladies Aid, Circle Bible Study, funeral luncheon teams, quilting, and many other ministries.

In addition to serving through church, Shi served on the Cottonwood School Board from 1967-1970. She was also an adult leader for county 4-H programs and active with the Homemakers Club.

Shi loved flowers, gardening, and canning. She often shared the fruits of her labors with neighbors. Shi provided others with many home cooked meals and desserts. She enjoyed collecting dishes and would bring out the china for special holidays and occasions. She was a talented painter and did beautiful rosemaling. When her children were young, she sewed clothes for them and did lots of patching. Many were blessed with her carefully designed and handmade quilts. Shi often played hymns on the piano and accompanied her children and grandchildren when they sang “Jesus Loves Me.”

Central to Shi’s life was her deep faith in God. She shared it with her family and all who knew her, and it sustained her all of her life.

She is survived by her husband, Stanley; her children Gary (Shay) Olson, Rick (Honna) Olson, Marcia (Tim) Amdahl, Charlie (Traci) Olson, and Craig (Denise) Aamodt; 16 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren; her siblings Pauline (Milt) Jellum, David (Marlene) Aanerud, Jim (Lorraine) Aanerud, and Annette (Mark) Holtan and numerous nieces and nephews.

Shi is preceded in death by her parents Oscar and Ruth Aanerud; first husband Robert “Bob” Olson; sister Lois Olson; brother-in-law Kenny Olson; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Fern and Marv Merrill; sister-in-law Julie Aanerud; and granddaughter Emilee Olson.

Memorials to honor Shi may be directed to:

Christ Lutheran Church,

P.O. Box 166

Cottonwood, MN 56229

(In Memory of Charlotte “Shi” Aamodt).

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later, safer time next summer.