Curtis Leroy Olson

Curtis Olson, of Montevideo, passed away Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Clara City Senior Living at the age of 92.

Private family services will be held.

Arrangements are with Anderson - TeBeest Funeral Home of Montevideo.  www.andersontebeest.com

Curtis Leroy Olson, the youngest of 6 children, was born January 18,1931 in Montevideo, MN to Carl and Alma Olson. Born and raised on a farm north of Montevideo is where he learned the value of hard work. He lived his entire life in Montevideo. This is where he calls home.As a young man he had several jobs: a farmhand for Charlie Kern, worked with chickens at Swift & Co., pumped gas at Don's Truck Stop and was a pinsetter at the Monte bowling alley, Curt enlisted in the United States Marine Corp and was Honorably discharged November 1953. He united in marriage to Blanche Peterson October 1958 in a small white chapel in Webster SD, to this union, 3 daughters were born.

He enjoyed driving. He drove a taxi, owned his own semi-truck hauling eggs and produce to Chicago, hauled gasoline for Jack Bitner and hot mix asphalt for Mooney's Inc.He retired from Mooney's Road Construction in June 1993 at the age of 62. He would want everyone to know, he never had an accident or received any citations in all those years of driving. He was a good driver. Each year Curt would take a trip across country to visit his brothers in Oregon and was always available to help out a friend with a ride to the airport. Although retired he never stopped working. He purchased rental properties to "give himself something to do" in his retirement. Coincidentally they were all connected to his home. That may have been his way of picking his own neighbors. He had a close relationship with his longtime renters.  Curt spent countless hours on the mower and snow blower keeping all 5 properties neat and orderly. He enjoyed small handyman projects and would always improvise, if necessary, to save on costs. He made a plan to do something each day. Living by the fairgrounds and racetrack he looked forward to the summer season. He enjoyed the sounds of the track, watching people and vehicles that would drive by the house.

Curt always stayed active. In his later years he maintained incredible balance and still rode bicycle around Montevideo at 87yrs of age.He had a great love for Lac Qui Parle State Park, enjoyed driving around the lake, taking in the view. He would say "why do people travel so far away, to see what we already have all around us". A very special person to Curt in his last years at home is Julie Suchanek. She made it possible for him to retain his independence until 91 years of age. We are so grateful for the time she spent with him.The Clara City Care Center was his final home. We appreciate their care and effort keeping him safe and involved in daily activities.  He struggled from Alzheimer's disease late in in his life. All of us together gave Curt the best quality of life possible.

He is survived by his Daughters: Shelley Olson of Montevideo, Marcy Hilbrands of Raymond, MN and Kelly (Darrin) Jones of Willmar, MN; Grandchildren: Joshua (Aimee) Hilbrands, Christopher Olson, Teri Jones and Alex (Samantha) Jones; Great-Grandchildren: Peyton, Hailee, and Harper Hilbrands, Cadence and Onyx Nicholson, Kyra Barney, Wyatt and Owen Jones, Brother: Harold Olson of Warren, OR and numerous extended family and friends.

Curt was preceded in death by his Parents; Granddaughter Vanessa Olson; and Siblings: Mildred Stay, Ruth Borgen, Arlen Olson, Clifford Olson

Blessed be his memory.