Eugene Olson died on Sunday afternoon, September 23, 2012, at the Johnson Memorial Care Center in Dawson at the age of 86.
Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, September 25, 2012, at the Johnson Memorial Chapel in Dawson with Fr. Brian Oestreich serving as Celebrant; commentator was Sister Vivian Petersern; scriptures lessons were from Isaiah, Psalm 121, Wisdom 6-10 and John 14:1-6; organist, Jennifer Kittelson accompanied the singing of “Beautiful Savior”, “On Eagle’s Wings”, “Abide With Me”, and “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee;” honorary casketbarers were: Paul Johnson, Roger Borstad, Del Thielke, Roger Stratmoen, Richard Rimstad, Elton Falness, Roger Fjerkenstad, and Virgil Thompson; and the active casketbearers were: Paul Olson, Donald Olson, Allen Moe, Philip Greseth, Arthur (Bob) Lee and Weldon Anderson. Military honors were by the Oscar Lee American Legion Post and Strand-Saboe VFW Post of Dawson and interment was in Grace Lutheran Cemetery in Dawson.
Visitation was at the care center for 1 hour prior to the funeral service.
Eugene Stanley Olson was born May 26, 1926 at Dawson, MN the son of Clarence and Ouida (Rue) Olson. He was baptized and confirmed at Riverside Lutheran Church and graduated from Dawson High School in 1944. He served in the US Navy from 1944-46 serving principally as a Navy Medic in Hawaii. After his discharge, he attended college at the Universities of Minnesota and Hawaii. Gene pursued a business career in the banking industry in the western states of Colorado, Nevada, and California. He retired in 1988 from Wells Fargo Bank in San Francisco. His life included much travel visiting all 50 states. He enjoyed non-traditional sports and actively participated in mountain climbing, skiing, and hiking, descending into Arizona’s Grand Canyon seven times. Gene returned to Dawson in 1988 to care for his mother. After her death in 1991, he returned to San Francisco before moving back to Dawson in 1997. He was a member of St. James Catholic Church, the American Legion and the VFW.
He is survived by two brothers: Paul and his wife Andrea of Devon, PA and Donald and his wife Barbara of Palatine, IL; a cousin, Marilyn Rhea of Gary, SD; and nieces and nephews: Michael Olson of San Diego, CA, David Olson of San Mateo, CA, Kristin Robie of Paoli, PA, Dr. Stephany Meng-Piering of Hampton Bays, NY, Mary McIntosh of Memphis, TN, and Sarah Wawrzeniak of Durham, CT.
Preceding him in death were his parents.