Lawrence Olson, of Dawson, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family Wednesday, May 8, 2013 in Dawson at the age of 83.
Memorial service was Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 11:00 AM at Grace Lutheran Church in Dawson with Pastors Kendall Stelter and Erika Benson officiating; Tera Dahl read the scriptures lessons Psalm 23 and Ecclesiastes 3; organist, Deb Lewis accompanied the singing of “The Old Rugged Cross”; accompanied on piano by wife, Joyce, Dean Pearson sang “Softly And Tenderly”, “Grandpa, Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Old Days” and “The King Is Coming”; urn bearers were Jarrett Dahl, Jordan Dahl, Kalen Sigecan, and Cameron Sigecan and the honorary were Tanya Dahl, Tera Dahl, Terese Viessman, Brianna Weber, Renae Weber, Jenna Sigecan, Judy Antolik. Interment was at Grace Lutheran Cemetery.
Visitation was Monday, from 5-7:00 PM at Hanson & Dahl with a prayer service at 6:30, followed by a Masonic Service.
Lawrence Reuben Olson was born on January 26, 1930 at Big Bend Township, Chippewa County, MN, to John and Hattie (Running) Olson and grew up with siblings: John Jr., Florence, Marquerite, Lucille, Robert and Helen. The family lived east of Milan where everyone still calls him Bubben. He was baptized and confirmed at Kviteseid Lutheran Church. He attended Rural District 52 for five years and graduated from Milan High School in 1948. He was engaged in farming until 1953 when he was inducted into the U.S. Army Signal Corps of the 25th infantry division and was stationed in Korea and Hawaii until 1955. Being a Milan native, he spoke fluent Norwegian. He attended school at Dunwoody Institute of Technology for mechanical drafting before returning to the Milan area to farm.
Lawrence married Ina (Fousek) on Easter Sunday, April 1, 1956 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Boyd. To this union, three children were born: Laura, Carla and Sheila. He moved to Dawson in 1965 and retired in 1999 after 34 years of safe driving for the Dawson Soybean Plant. He has been a member of Grace Lutheran Church for the past 48 years where he served as an usher and greeter for many years. He was a life member of the Dawson Strand Saboe VFW Post and an active member of the Atelier Masonic Lodge 202. He looked forward to his Saturday morning breakfast with friends. His hobbies included: hunting, fishing, target shooting, camping, golfing. In his younger years, he raced the Number 10 racecar, which he built himself. He took pride in auto maintenance, repairs of any kind, a special interest in reloading shells and always carried a camera along with him. He had a passion for reading. Lawrence was eager to teach his family how to do everything he enjoyed and was always learning about new things himself. Through the years, they enjoyed traveling, mostly with family. A visit to Australia to be there when their grandchild was born was a highlight.
Lawrence was a faithful servant to the Lord and enjoyed studying the Bible from cover to cover. He recited poetry that he had memorized while in school, with his favorite being The Native Land (by Sir Walter Scott). He was a dedicated family man, even to the pets who anticipated his puppy treats upon each visit. He was a loving, compassionate husband, father, and grandfather. Lawrence fought a courageous battle with cancer and was greatly admired for his positive attitude.
He is survived by his wife, Ina; three daughters/husbands: Laura and Wayne Dahl of Dawson, Carla and Bob Draack of Alexandria, Sheila and Tom Sigecan of Dellwood; Judy (Fousek) Antolik, sister-in-law who was like a daughter; ten grandchildren: Tanya Dahl, Tera Dahl, Terese (Nate) Viessman, Jarrett Dahl, Jordan (Ashley) Dahl, Brianna Weber (Fiancé Albert White), Renae Weber, Kalen (fiancée Desiree Bauman) Sigecan, Cameron Sigecan, Jenna Sigecan; step-grandsons: Chris (Jessica) Draack, Chad (Carrie) Draack, and Cory (Danielle) Draack; seven great-grandchildren: Kaylee, Skylar, Walker, Tucker, Lincoln, McKinley, and Tegan; six step-great-grandchildren: Tyler D., Tyler R., Alivia, Alaina, Matthew, and Audrina; and siblings: Florence Pritz of Colorado Springs, CO; Marquerite Gates of Owatonna, MN, Robert (Norma) Olson of Sunburg, MN and in-laws: Grace Olson, Appleton, MN and Samuel Commons, Blue Bells, PA.
Preceding him in death were his parents: Johnny and Hattie; grandson, Baby Boy Weber; brother, John Olson; sisters: Helen Commons and Lucille Anderson; and in-laws: Eldon Pritz, Benton Gates and Dennis Anderson.
He will be greatly missed and forever in our hearts until the day we will all be together again. Blessed be his memory. We will cherish his life forever in our hearts.
Memorials are preferred to Hospice.