Services for Edwin Olson

 

Edwin Olson, 77, of Thief River Falls, MN passed away on Monday, February 15, 2021 at his residence with his loving family by his side. 

The funeral to celebrate Edwin’s life will be held at 11AM Friday, February 19, 2021 at Oak Park Lutheran Church, rural Oklee, MN with interment at Oak Park Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2793, American Legion Post 117 and Minnesota Army National Guard Honor Guard.

Visitation will be held from 5-8 PM On Thursday, February 18, 2021, with a Prayer Service at 7:30 PM at Johnson Funeral Service Thief River Falls, MN.

Edwin Elmer Olson was born January 27, 1944 at Mercy Hospital in Thief River Falls, MN the son of Ben and Alice (Rystad) Olson. He was baptized and confirmed at Oak Park Lutheran Church north of Oklee, MN. He attended Rosenook Country School and graduated from Oklee High School with the class of 1962. 

Edwin entered service with the United States Army in February of 1965. He did basic training at Ft. Leonardwood, MO and in 1966 went to Vietnam for thirteen months. He drove truck with the engineer company building roads and drove to Saigon for supplies. Edwin spent some time in Japan for some well-deserved R & R and enjoyed the time there. He was Honorably Discharged in February of 1967.

Edwin worked on the family farm in Hickory Township, Pennington County, MN along with his best friend and brother, Milan, taking over the farm in 1968. They had a Grade A Dairy Cattle Farm and also had small grains and hay. 

On February 19, 1977, Edwin was united in marriage to Ione Hofstad at Oak Park Lutheran Church. They were the second marriage in the new church. To this union, two daughters were born, Lisa and Melanie to join their brother David Hofstad.

He also had various odd jobs over the years including Land O Lakes Turkey Plant, Arctic Cat for ten years which he really enjoyed, loading bales onto railroad cars, Alvin Jensen Mink Farm and the sunflower plant in Gonvick, MN.

Edwin enjoyed league bowling, fishing and deer hunting in his younger years and especially enjoyed traveling with Ione to Las Vegas, Arizona and Bergan bus trips throughout the United States. Together they enjoyed dancing to Cathy Erickson music, listening to old-time music and attending concerts including Dolly Parton, Danny O’Donnell and Garth Brooks. Family was first in Edwin’s life with visits and gatherings always a priority. For many years, Edwin took many of his family, neighbors and friends to doctor appointments. He loved tending to his flowers and decorating the yard with solar lights.

Anyone lucky enough to know Edwin knows he was a loving, caring and kind man. He enjoyed making conversation with family, friends and even people he didn’t know.

He was a member of Oak Park Lutheran Church, rural Oklee, MN where he was treasurer for both the church and parish for several years. Edwin was also treasurer for Hickory Township for 23 years. 

He was also a member of VFW Post 2793 and American Legion Post 117 in Thief River Falls.

Survivors include his loving wife, Ione; son, David Hofstad of Red Lake Falls, MN; daughters, Lisa Lemonds (fiancé Anthony Olson) and Melanie Olson all of Thief River Falls; grandchildren, Taylor (fiancé Jared Shaugabay), Cassidy and Nathan; great-granddaughters, Aurora and Rayna; sister, Darlene (Norman “Bud”) Blackstad of Thief River Falls; brother, Milan Olson of Thief River Falls; brother-in-law, Glenn Hofstad of Trail, MN; sister-in-law, Caroline Marquis of Cascade, MT; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Alice Olson; and brother, Goodwin (Eileen) Olson; brother-in-law, Bill Marquis; sister-in-law, Linda Hofstad; and father & mother-in-law, Ole and Mabel Hofstad.

Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com