Mrs. Oleson was at the same time both onerous and endearing to children and adults, alike, as audiences watched her character practice self-aggrandizement; usually to her own detriment. She will be remembered as one of the most talented supporting actors of her generation. After Little House on the Prairie, Katherine MacGregor withdrew from screen productions in favor of local theater. Since Katherine was busy with her own work after the Little House on the Prairie ended, she did not appear in the three special episodes later and soon retired from acting afterwards.