Nancy Oleson ( Allison Balson ) Family Magazine 1982
Nancy Oleson was the adopted daughter of Nels and Harriet Oleson.
Biography[]
Harriet showed interest in her immediately after seeing her in the orphanage because of her resemblance to Nellie in her youth. She was scheduled to be transferred to a special facility in Minneapolis before being discovered by Harriet. Not wanting to be adopted, she at first ran away, but when brought back Harriet convinced her to come live with the Olesons in exchange for being pampered and spoiled by Harriet. Unfortunately, Nancy's personality and behavior was initially worse then Nellie's was when she was young. After being brought back from the orphanage, Nancy was quickly spoiled by Harriet and soon after caused trouble in Walnut Grove, like fooling Willie into locking fellow classmate and rival Belinda Stevens in an ice shed so that Nancy could play the lead part in an upcoming musical at the school.
Nancy also convinces the Olesons and town that she was abandoned by her mother. Charles Ingalls ran into the man that ran the orphanage where Nancy was from and found out that her story was a lie. It turns out that Nancy's mother died in childbirth, and her grandmother tried to raise her, but she eventually gave up, because of her increasingly uncontrollable behavior, and she sent Nancy away to an orphanage. Laura , Albert and Willie with some help from Belinda Stevens, convinced Nancy to be the queen of the dunk tank at Walnut Grove's upcoming festival. Nancy actually takes her punishment and admits she loves Harriet and feels accepted by the townspeople of Walnut Grove. Laura even writes she knows Nancy will eventually get better. (Episode 801: The Reincarnation of Nellie (Part 1), Episode 802: The Reincarnation of Nellie (Part 2)
Nancy causes a lot of trouble through the series. She used an obese boy (Elmer) to do her homework. (Episode 809: For the Love of Nancy) After learning responsibility, Willie begins to find his sister's behavior insufferable and once shamed her during the "Stone Soup" thing, when she refused to help because of the heat when Willie and all the other kids help to irrigate Laura's drought-stricken field, by pouring a bucket of water over her head to "cool her off". (Episode 813: Stone Soup) She bullies Cassandra sometimes and when she is about to get in trouble she says, "You hate me! Why does everyone hate me?!", often before bursting into tears and sobbing. This makes Harriet quickly forgive her while Nels just rolls his eyes.
Nancy once met Nellie and they didn't really get along. Nellie had a huge birthday party and Nancy didn't get enough attention so she ran away believing that the family didn't want her or need her now that Nellie was back. The next day Nellie found her in the woods after she was attacked by a wolf. Shocked by her behavior and remembering how her mother had spoiled her, Nellie pitied her and brought her home. Nancy was pleasantly surprised to learn that everyone cared and that she is an irreplaceable member of the family. At first it seemed as though Nancy learned a lesson, but of course, she didn't because Harriet continued to spoil her. (Episode 908: The Return of Nellie).
Nancy and Harriet are moved by Lou's actions
Nancy is profoundly touched by Albert's emotional speech.
When Lou comes to town Harriet makes things difficult for him until he saves Nancy from a well. Upon rescuing her Lou dry's Nancy's tears and she gives him a thankful and loving smile. Showing her sweet side to the man who saved her life. (Little Lou (character). Later on when Albert returns to Walnut Grove with leukaemia what was initially a bullying comment from Nancy asking what it's like to know you're going to die becomes a profound and emotional moment for her and the entire class upon hearing Albert's moving speech. ( Little House: Look Back to Yesterday.)
The Olesons later get Nancy a rabbit but she ends up killing it as a result of her neglect. Nancy is later seen saddened with her family as everyone is forced to leave their home of Walnut Grove. (The Last Farewell).
Nancy and Nellie.
Behind the scenes[]
Nancy holding her doll running away from home during Nellie's party.
Nancy Oleson was portrayed by Allison Balson throughout the series starting in season eight.