Marit Ingvaldsdatter ELLESTAD

Notes:

dwfrench1’s French Family Tree

Birth:
Brækken

Family/Spouse: Adolph Martin OLSEN. Adolph was born in Vest-Agder, Norway. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

dwfrench1’s French Family Tree

Margaret Annette Olson Richards December 6, 1920- October 6, 2003

Margaret met her Lord October 6, 2003. Her family was with her continually until her untimely passing.

Born December 6, 1920, at the family home in Fife, Washington, to Norwegian immigrants, Martin Olson and Marie Ellestad, she weighed just 3½ pounds. Margaret graduated from Fife High School, attended secretarial college in downtown Tacoma, worked briefly for Weisfield’s Jewelers, and then joined Puget Sound Plywood Co-op, which was co-founded by her father. Margaret also purchased and remodeled homes turning them into apartments.

It was at Puget Sound Plywood that Margaret met a handsome, smooth talking salesman, Edmond Paul Richards, who worked for Pacific Banknote Company. It wasn’t long before they married and he joined the family photographic business on Pacific Avenue, Richards Portrait and Commercial Photography Studio. Along with real estate her other interests included ceramics. Soon after the birth of their children, Nancy and Ed Jr., it was no longer a hobby but took over the basement, garage and their residence on North Prospect. Her ceramic business grew rapidly and Margaret moved the business to 208 St. Helens Avenue. She poured and sold greenware, taught classes, made and labeled her own glazes. Richards’ Ceramics became the largest ceramic shop in the Pacific Northwest in the 1950s. She continued to operate it until 1968.

Following the death of her husband Ed in 1984, it was decided to close the family photographic business. Margaret donated nearly one million photographs and negatives to the Tacoma Public Library. This donation represented the entire inventory of Richards Studio; Tacoma’s longest running photography business. Because of the historical significance of this collection, the library dedicated a full time staff to cataloging and maintaining these historic records. Every day a different picture from the Richards Studio Collection can be found on page B2 of the News Tribune in the “Puget Sound Photo Album.”

Over the years Margaret was involved in numerous civic activities including AquaBelles, Senior Scene, PLU’s Troll House, Norwegian Drill Team, and she was a member of the Daughters of Norway for over 60 years. She also helped in her son’s business. She loved to baby-sit her great grandchildren and they loved it too. A favorite pastime was eating out with her many friends, classmates and club members some of which were childhood friends, which still live in Fife.

Margaret was preceded in death by her mother and father, Marie Ellestad Olson and Martin Olson, brother, Gene Olson, and husband of forty years, Edmond Paul Richards, Sr. She is survived by her daughter Nancy and son-in-law Bob Walter, son Edmond Jr., daughter-in-law Jane Richards, grandchildren, Edmond Paul Richards III, Jaime Richards, Tim Walter (wife Lonnie), Curt Albrecht (wife Mahshid), Tami Walter Kamalu, (husband Hiram), and four great grandchildren, Megan, Rachel, and Erin Walter and Caleb Kamalu plus many other relatives.

Margaret was a dear friend to many, had a great sense of humor, was incredibly generous and had a beautiful way with words. She will be sorely misssed. Ya sure ya betcha!