Alma Jean Sheppard

 Alma Jean Sheppard (nee Olson), 89, passed away on July 24th, 2024 at the Good Samaritan nursing home in Battle Lake, MN. She was born on January 1st, 1935 the daughter of Rudolph A. Olson and Irene Marie Olson, (nee Rasmussen) in the town of Battle Lake. Alma was raised in Battle Lake, and attended BLHS, graduating in 1952. She met and married Joseph J. Sheppard, Jr. while working at the University of Minnesota, in Minneapolis, and together they had four children. Alma & Joe moved around the country several times following his career, always returning to Battle Lake for summers spent at the Olson Family Home on West Summit Street at the corner of Garfield.

 Alma returned to school after her children were in their teens, earning a bachelor’s Degree and a master’s degree in Anthropology from Northridge State University in the San Fernando Valley. Together, Alma and Joe collected indigenous Mexican folk art, including several Huichole Indian yarn paintings which was the subject of her master’s thesis. Alma & Joe were gracious hosts in their Southern California home and operated a Bed & Breakfast and had many food-themed parties featuring Mexican and Scandinavian cuisine. 

Joe finally retired and the two of them returned to Battle Lake to take up residence out on West Battle Lake. Joe & Alma were married for 53 years and after his passing Alma continued to return for the summer to her home on the lakeshore. She was active in Network Battle Lake and the annual Labor Day Fly-In at the Battle Lake Municipal Airport each year. Alma and Joe enjoyed visiting with longtime friends such as Grace & Tom Stobe and Pat & Don Kostelecky at their Lakeshore Drive home. There were also several family reunions held in the early ‘90s, and in 2003, 2012 and 2016 gathering several generations of the Olson’s and Sheppard’s together in Battle Lake, MN. 

Alma is survived by her sons Joseph J. Sheppard III (Brenda) and Peter M. Sheppard and Mary McCaffrey (Peter), grandchildren Joseph, Heather (Garrick) Uhl, Jackie and Julie, Susan Skye and Jonathan (Tasha) Hohimer and great-grandchildren Tobias, Eva, Stella, Thomas, Madison and Ethan. In addition to her parents and spouse Alma was predeceased by her daughter, Susan Jane Sheppard, her brother, Robert Olson, and sisters Beverly Rogers, Constance Olson, Corrine King and Marnie Hoy. 

A private graveside ceremony will be held for immediate family at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery in Battle Lake, MN. An after-ceremony wake with refreshments will be held from 2pm to 5pm the Sheppard home at 528 East Summit Street in Battle Lake for the immediate friends & family of Alma, Marnie and Corrine. Feel free to call Peter at 310.936.8061 details.