James "Dugie" Stanley Olsen

James S. “Dugie” Olsen, of Montevideo, died on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 at the Chippewa County - Montevideo Hospital at the age of 83.

Funeral services will be conducted on Monday, August 21, 2006 at 11:00 AM. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Montevideo with Rev. Donald S. McKee officiating.  Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Cemetery.  Visitation will be Sunday afternoon and evening, with the family present from 5:30 - 7 PM and with a prayer service at 7 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home in Montevideo.

James Stanley “Dugie” Olsen was born on December 20, 1922 in Montevideo, MN to Halfden (H. J.) and Mabel (Petersen) Olsen.  He grew up in Montevideo and graduated from Montevideo High School in 1940. He served in the US Navy during WW II, serving in a ship repair unit in the South Pacific. On August 26, 1944, he was united in marriage, in Berkeley, CA, to Audrey Fall, the daughter of David and Frances Fall of Milan, MN.  Following his discharge from the Navy, they moved to Montevideo where he began working with his father at Olsen Plumbing and Heating. In 1918 H.J. Olsen received the bid to do the plumbing and heating for the new Our Savior's Lutheran Church building.  He moved his business from Olivia to Montevideo, where he raised his family and his sons learned the business.  He ran the business from his home, where Dugie was born, grew up, lived his entire married life and raised his family. In 1947, Dugie and his brother Bob, bought the business and in 1952 he became sole owner of Olsen Plumbing and Heating.  He operated it until he sold the business to his nephew, Ken Olsen, a third generation owner. He was a lifelong resident of Montevideo and since retiring in 1986 has spent parts of the year in Bradenton, FL. In Bradenton he served as vice-president of the Board of Directors for the Bayshore on the Lake Condominium Association for a number of years, was active on various committees and enjoyed watching the wildlife such as water birds, alligators and otters on the condo’s small lake. He was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, served as a Trustee, served on church boards and did much of the heating and plumbing work for the church.  He was a member of the American Legion, VFW, the MN Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Association, of which he was state president in 1983 and the National Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Association.  He was a long-time member of the fire department, was a charter member of the rescue squad and served as rescue squad chief for 17 years. He enjoyed his cabin on Diamond Lake, boats and water skiing, hunting, fishing, square dancing, playing cards and spending time with his family.  He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

He is survived by his wife Audrey; four children: Gary (Helen) Olsen of Montevideo, JoAnn (Joe Danens) Grote of LeSueur, MN;  Dale Olsen of St. Peter, MN; and Sharon (Mark) Falvey of Burnsville, MN; nine grandchildren: Tracie (Steve) Fletcher, Brenda (David) Sikes, Brian (Heather) Olsen, Paul (Randi) Olsen, Vicci and Joe Scott Danens, Chad (Sheri) Olsen and Ashley and Alyssa Falvey ; seven great-grandchildren: Sophia Fletcher, Ben and Rachel Sikes, Brett and Robby Olsen and Alexis and Kaylinn Olsen; a brother, Clayton “Jack” (Jan) Olsen of Bradenton, FL and a number of nieces and nephews, including Ken (Janice) and Alfred (Peg) Olsen, who made their homes with the family for some time.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Richard in 1961; a daughter-in-law, Sue Ann Olsen; one sister, Hazel Thomton;  three brothers: Raymond, Robert and Curtis Olsen and a sister in infancy.