After a long battle with ALS, Melanie passed away peacefully at home on Sept. 23, 2013.

She graduated from Southland High School in 1983 from Adams, Minn., and got her bachelor’s degree from George Mason University and was actively involved with the ALS Association.  She was born June 13, 1965, in Austin, Minn. She is survived by her parents, Clarence and Rozella Olsen of Midlothian, Va., brother, Kent Olsen and family of Andover, Minn., and sister, Wendy Hermes and her family, of Midlothian, Va. By Melanie’s and her family’s request, we ask for donations to the ALS Association of Virgnia/Maryland in lieu of flowers.

A memorial service will be held at the Woodlake United Methodist Church, 15640 Hampton Park Drive, Chesterfield, VA  23832 at 1 p.m. on Monday Sept. 30, 2013.