1939
Floyd
2014
Floyd Olson
July 5, 1939 — December 11, 2014
Memorial service will be held Thursday, Dec 18, 2014, at Nidaros Lutheran Church at 1 pm. for Floyd B. Olson. Floyd died at age 75, at the Broen Home in Fergus Falls after hospitalization for the effects of leukemia.
Floyd Benhardt Olson was born on July 5, 1939, in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, the eldest child of Benhardt (Bennie) and Edith (Mittag) Olson. He grew up as the fourth generation living on the Clitherall land homesteaded by Matthias Olson, who immigrated from Norway in 1867 and built the present house identical to his home in Norway.
Floyd was a lifetime member of Nidaros Lutheran Church of rural Clitherall. He was baptized and confirmed at the Clitherall church. Floyd went to Country School, District 33, in Nidaros Township, and attended the Battle Lake High School plus a year at Fergus Falls High School.
Floyd's life was hampered by his asthmatic condition since early childhood. He missed much of his school time as well as meetings and events in recent years due to that condition. Floyd had a very close relationship with his grandfather, Martin Olson, who farmed the homestead and was the Otter Tail USDA farm agent. Floyd accompanied his grandfather often on visits to farmers and his travels. He gathered much information about farming, history and geography of the area and met many people throughout Otter Tail County. Floyd was a walking font of history about the Vining/Clitherall area. He has friends in every area of the county and beyond.
He farmed with his parents in Clitherall. As a young man he left his home area and had a variety of experiences. He was the boiler engineer in the engine room of the Arthur S. Anderson Ore Boat, a boat with the Merchant Marines out of Duluth on Lake Superior for a number of years. Other work experience included Federal Cartridge in Brooklyn Center, drlving semi-trucks hauling large farm equipment to Canada and in construction of the interstate highways in the Dakotas.
Upon the death of his father he returned home to the Clitherall farm where he also operated a septic service out of Clitherall. Floyd always enjoyed farming and was also known for his mechanical ability, helping to restore old tractors and assisting friends and relatives with fixing car problems.
He enjoyed good food, good company, hunting and fishing, and enjoyed playing cards, often with Battle Lake Seniors. He was honored annually by friends and family celebrating his 'Fifth of July birthday' held on the farm on the shore of Moen/Severson Lake.
Floyd was devoted to Claris Keeping and her two children, Byron Keeping, now of Detroit Lakes and Brenda Keeping, now of Fergus Falls. Their relationship has continued for 30 years. His own two children are Marlin Olson of Clitherall and Karla Olson of Brooklyn Park.
Floyd is survived by his companion, Claris Keeping of Fergus Falls; mother, Edith Olson of Clitherall; children, Karla (Marty Wallace) Olson, of Brooklyn Park; Marlin Olson of Clitherall; Byron Keeping of Detroit Lakes and Brenda Keeping of Fergus Falls; grandson, Jacob Wallace; sister, Carolyn (David) Henriksen of Maple Grove; niece Kristy Henriksen and Ryan (Melissa) Henriksen plus numerous cousins in California, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Benhardt Olson and a brother, William Marlin Olson.
Directions to Nidaros Church: turn south off Hiway 210 onto Nidaros Church Road (located between Clitherall and Vining). The church is two miles from the hiway.
Memorial Service: 1:00 pm, Thursday, December 18, 2014,
Nidaros Lutheran Church of rural Clitherall.
Visitation: 12 o'clock, one hour prior to the service at the church
Clergy: Pastor Dawna Hochstein
Interment: Nidaros Lutheran Cemetery
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson of Battle Lake
Floyd Benhardt Olson was born on July 5, 1939, in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, the eldest child of Benhardt (Bennie) and Edith (Mittag) Olson. He grew up as the fourth generation living on the Clitherall land homesteaded by Matthias Olson, who immigrated from Norway in 1867 and built the present house identical to his home in Norway.
Floyd was a lifetime member of Nidaros Lutheran Church of rural Clitherall. He was baptized and confirmed at the Clitherall church. Floyd went to Country School, District 33, in Nidaros Township, and attended the Battle Lake High School plus a year at Fergus Falls High School.
Floyd's life was hampered by his asthmatic condition since early childhood. He missed much of his school time as well as meetings and events in recent years due to that condition. Floyd had a very close relationship with his grandfather, Martin Olson, who farmed the homestead and was the Otter Tail USDA farm agent. Floyd accompanied his grandfather often on visits to farmers and his travels. He gathered much information about farming, history and geography of the area and met many people throughout Otter Tail County. Floyd was a walking font of history about the Vining/Clitherall area. He has friends in every area of the county and beyond.
He farmed with his parents in Clitherall. As a young man he left his home area and had a variety of experiences. He was the boiler engineer in the engine room of the Arthur S. Anderson Ore Boat, a boat with the Merchant Marines out of Duluth on Lake Superior for a number of years. Other work experience included Federal Cartridge in Brooklyn Center, drlving semi-trucks hauling large farm equipment to Canada and in construction of the interstate highways in the Dakotas.
Upon the death of his father he returned home to the Clitherall farm where he also operated a septic service out of Clitherall. Floyd always enjoyed farming and was also known for his mechanical ability, helping to restore old tractors and assisting friends and relatives with fixing car problems.
He enjoyed good food, good company, hunting and fishing, and enjoyed playing cards, often with Battle Lake Seniors. He was honored annually by friends and family celebrating his 'Fifth of July birthday' held on the farm on the shore of Moen/Severson Lake.
Floyd was devoted to Claris Keeping and her two children, Byron Keeping, now of Detroit Lakes and Brenda Keeping, now of Fergus Falls. Their relationship has continued for 30 years. His own two children are Marlin Olson of Clitherall and Karla Olson of Brooklyn Park.
Floyd is survived by his companion, Claris Keeping of Fergus Falls; mother, Edith Olson of Clitherall; children, Karla (Marty Wallace) Olson, of Brooklyn Park; Marlin Olson of Clitherall; Byron Keeping of Detroit Lakes and Brenda Keeping of Fergus Falls; grandson, Jacob Wallace; sister, Carolyn (David) Henriksen of Maple Grove; niece Kristy Henriksen and Ryan (Melissa) Henriksen plus numerous cousins in California, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Benhardt Olson and a brother, William Marlin Olson.
Directions to Nidaros Church: turn south off Hiway 210 onto Nidaros Church Road (located between Clitherall and Vining). The church is two miles from the hiway.
Memorial Service: 1:00 pm, Thursday, December 18, 2014,
Nidaros Lutheran Church of rural Clitherall.
Visitation: 12 o'clock, one hour prior to the service at the church
Clergy: Pastor Dawna Hochstein
Interment: Nidaros Lutheran Cemetery
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson of Battle Lake
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