Olive J. Hupf

Olive Janet (Nygaard) Hupf, 92 from Randolph, MN passed away peacefully and into the loving arms of her Jesus on Sunday, March 15, 2026, after living a full and very meaningful life.

Olive was born on October 10, 1933 in Canby, MN to Alonzo and Mollie (Vick) Nygaard, the youngest of six children and graduated from Watertown High School, in 1951. She worked as a “Soda Jerk” at Kreiser’s Drug Store in Watertown during her high school years and later at a local bank after graduating.

She met the love of her life, Vernon Hupf from Kranzburg, South Dakota, while roller skating, something they cherished doing and did so beautifully. She and Vernon were married on June 11, 1955, after he returned from serving in the army. They started their married life and family in Watertown, then moved to Northfield, Minnesota in 1956, to pursue a dream of dairy farming. They were so proud to finally purchase their own farm near Randolph, MN in 1962, where they farmed and raised their family of six children. Together, working side by side, they built their dream, never letting hard work and setbacks deter them. Olive and Vernon were avid polka dancers, coffee drinkers, card sharks, and community supporters. Throughout the years, Olive could be found cheering on the grandchildren (& friends) at sporting events, band concerts, 4H dairy shows, and other related events, often with her sister, Ann.

Olive had a deep and constant faith and love for God. She was active in both St. Mathias Church in Hampton and St. Pius Church in Cannon Falls. She gave the gift of her time to church work for many years, being a Christian education teacher at St. Mathias while her children were young and later became the Director of the Faith Formation program. She also started a children’s choir, played the organ for mass, and taught several children and youth to play the organ, having them play for mass services alongside her and on their own. What a gift she was to so many. She was also very involved in the Council of Catholic Women (CCW) where she served in many leadership roles and helped them thrive during her time. For the past 15+ years, she has led a mission project for children in Kentucky, collecting Christmas gifts and much needed donations from surrounding churches and communities, enough to fill an entire semi every year.

Olive made 4-H a very important part of her children’s lives. For never being in 4-H herself, she jumped into the program with both feet and never looked back. She was an extremely involved 4-H leader in the local club, county, and state level, making an impact on so many youth. She reveled in watching her kids show cattle, learn to lead and grow in the program, finding their passions, and setting a course for their futures. She started new programs, such as the Cloverbud project; a program where younger children and families can experience and get acquainted with 4-H from a beginner’s level. To this day, the Cloverbud project is one of the biggest 4-H projects in many counties.

Olive has always had a heart for the fairs. She started exhibiting her flowers and baked goods when her children began exhibiting their 4-H projects in 1965. She continued that love of fair competition for many years, being awarded Champion and Best of Show several times. She also organized the 4-H dairy show at the Cannon Valley Fair and the Dakota County Fair for decades, encouraging more and more youth to be a part of it. She started the MN Ayrshire State Show at the Cannon Valley Fair and served as a 4-H Cloverbud judge in more recent years. In addition, she managed the 4-H Food Stand at the Dakota County Fair, successfully organizing the volunteers and raising funds to run the 4-H program for the entire year.

She absolutely loved watching three generations of her family show dairy cattle, along with several other projects. Her love for fairs continued as she managed the Open Class Foods department at the Dakota County Fair for many years and continued to exhibit her flowers, vegetables and baked goods at the MN State Fair.

She also served on the Randolph school board for several years, leading them through some challenging times, but with her foresight and fortitude, began some very important programs. She got the ball rolling to get an Ag program at Randolph High School in 1977, asking Ed Terry to come and teach. That program flourished and grew over the years and has been consistently awarded as the top or near the top FFA and Ag program in the state, guiding several students to successful careers in agriculture.

Olive was a driving force in getting the student-built house project started at Randolph High School in the 80’s. When school budgets were tight and shop classes were being cut, she created an amazing new way forward that became a sought-after program by other schools in the state. She saw a need for bringing new families into the community and a way to offer students an education or introduction to lifetime professional skills that were needed in the workforce, which again, helped shape many students’ career paths. Not only did it bring in new families to the community, it also brought in new students from surrounding towns who wanted to be a part of the building project. This program also created an additional stream of revenue for the school when the house was sold. The Randolph FFA program and the house building project have consistently been two of the strongest programs at the school.

She was instrumental in getting the Dakota Co. Junior Holstein Association started and an active member in the MN Holstein Association as well.

Olive was the embodiment of a person who is passionate about her faith, family, and community and the importance of making a difference. Though her life was filled with being a dairy farmer and raising her family, she always found time to offer her skills and time to others. She was never one to just be “a member of,” she rolled up her sleeves and did the work, the work of ten people sometimes, never shying away from a challenge and always got the job done. She lived a life of servanthood, serving in an incredibly impactful way. She used the gifts that God gave her to further His work here on earth, and we’re certain that God has already told her “Well done, My good and faithful servant”.

Olive’s biggest joy was her family. She is survived by her children, Jeannette (Bob) Sheehan, Mary Nelson, Kathy Hupf, John Hupf, Libby (Todd) Montreuil. Grandchildren: Kelly (Dan) Kendall, Andrew (Juliana) Sheehan, Krista (Jordan) Kuzma, Erik (Megan) Nelson, Tracy Nelson, Brenda (Alex) Miller, AJ (Cortney) Neil, Molly (Ryan) Kappers, Dylan Tate, Cooper Tate. Great-grandchildren Charlie, Levi, Nora and Waylon Nelson, Conner, Alex and Britta Kendall, Elena & Hattie Sheehan, Caleb, Travis and Anita Miller, Eleanor and Charlotte Kuzma, Adalynn, Raelynn and Brooklynn Neil, Haiden, Emily, Olivia, and Avery Kappers; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Vernon, son Stephen, siblings Alvin, Oscar, Andrew, Odell, and Ann Nygaard, and son-in-law Duane Nelson.

Visitation will be held Friday, March 20 from 4-7 pm at St. Mathias Church in Hampton. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, March 21 at 11 am, with visitation from 10-11 am, at St. Mathias Church. This service will be live-streamed and available to watch below. Interment to follow at the church cemetery.

LIVESTREAM INFORMATION: For those who would like to participate in Olive’s service via livestream, you can watch the service on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 11:00 am. It can be viewed by scrolling to the bottom of this page and click PLAY to begin. Please leave a message of support on our Tribute Wall to let the family know you were able to watch the service. If you are having troubles with the Livestream, the service will be available to watch later in the day.