1924
Olaf
2015
Olaf Draxten
June 22, 1924 — April 13, 2015
Olaf Draxten, 90, of Fergus Falls, died Monday, April 13, 2015, at PioneerCare in Fergus Falls.
Olaf was born at home in Dane Prairie Township on June 22, 1924, the son of Helmer and Ellen (Thompson) Draxten. He was baptized in the Norwegian service by Rev. R.W. Thorseth and confirmed by Rev. Bersvend Blikstad at the Swan Lake Lutheran Church south of Fergus Falls where he attended and was active for many years following.
He began school at District 81, a one-room schoolhouse where he graduated from the 8th grade in 1938. He continued his education at Fergus Falls High School and graduated in 1942.
Ole was an avid ski jumper in the 40's and 50's and participated in many competitions across the state, jumping most often at the ski jump near Dalton. He always said, "I was never any good, but I had a lot of fun trying to get good!"
He married Yvonne Van Sickle September 4th, 1955 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. Ole was a volunteer fireman and was very proud of the fact that he and his bride were "paraded in their wedding gear" down Lincoln avenue high atop the "Buffalo" fire truck. He said "Pal the fire dog rode on the highest spot on the truck, ears flying in the wind!" Together, they had two children whom Ole very much enjoyed spending time with.
Olaf was a resident of Fergus Falls for more than 30 years, where he owned and operated a concrete contracting business. He served as a member of the Fergus Falls Fire Department for 28 years, the Otter Tail County Fair board for nine years, and was an effective Alderman in the First Ward for the City of Fergus Falls for three terms. One of the things he was most proud of accomplishing while a councilman was introducing the action that led to the formation of Delagoon Park. While a member of the Swan Lake Lutheran Church, he served his church in many areas, including more than 25 years as caretaker of the Swan Lake Cemetery.
Olaf and Yvonne travelled together in all 50 states, Mexico and six countries in Europe. They crossed the Canadian border in 13 different places and crossed both oceans by boat. After having two children, they very much enjoyed many of these travels together as a family.
In 1981, he and Yvonne moved to Indian Lake in Dane Prairie Township, not far from his birthplace. Ole loved nature very much. After moving to the lake from Fergus Falls, he planted over 100 evergreen trees, which today are many feet high and he always said, "Nature had shaped them perfectly." He loved to stroll about his woods and share them with his family and friends. He often reported about the wildlife he would see. Those very woods continue to provide many a memorable occasion for Ole's family. He also enjoyed his gardens and was known especially for his bumper raspberry crops. He even invented a picking bucket you could hang around your neck, allowing you to pick faster with both hands!
In 2012, Olaf and Yvonne moved back to Fergus Falls. On Saturday, April 4th, he became a brief resident at PioneerCare Nursing home in Fergus Falls. Just over one week later, Jesus called Ole home to be with Him in Heaven. Ole dearly loved his Lord and was an active member and Trustee of the Bethel Lutheran Church for many years and enjoyed singing in the choir. A wooden cross, which he crafted, still hangs at Bethel today.
More than anything on earth, he loved spending time with family and very much enjoyed his 2 children and their spouses, 5 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren and their frequent visits.
He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 60 years, Yvonne; son, Brian (Lori) of Fergus Falls, daughter Mary (John) Paulson of Fergus Falls; five grandchildren, Peter (Kim) Draxten of Fergus Falls, Luke (Courtney) Draxten of Fergus Falls, Matthew (Michelle) Draxten of Mounds View, MN, Hannah (Derrick) Clark of Plymouth, MN, and Katie (Josh) Haus of Fergus Falls; 10 great-grandchildren, Cohen, Sawyer, Julia & Jace Draxten, Drew and Lucky Draxten, Louis Draxten, Griffin, Maddox and Claire Haus; sister-in-law, Coral Draxten; niece, Margaret (Craig) Lilja and their family; and nephew, John Miller.
Olaf was preceded in death by his parents, Helmer and Ellen Draxten; his sister, Hjordis (Lloyd) Miller; brother, Harold Draxten; and by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Visitation: 5 - 7 PM Thursday, with a 6:30 PM Prayer Service, at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls, and one hour prior to services at the church.
Funeral Service: 11 AM Friday, April 17, 2015, at Bethel Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls
Clergy: Pastor David Foss and Pastor Ed Monson
Interment: Swan Lake Lutheran Cemetery, Dane Prairie Township, rural Fergus Falls
Memorials preferred to Swan Lake Church and Bethel Church Missions.
Ole's Video Tribute
Ole's Memorial Folder
Olaf was born at home in Dane Prairie Township on June 22, 1924, the son of Helmer and Ellen (Thompson) Draxten. He was baptized in the Norwegian service by Rev. R.W. Thorseth and confirmed by Rev. Bersvend Blikstad at the Swan Lake Lutheran Church south of Fergus Falls where he attended and was active for many years following.
He began school at District 81, a one-room schoolhouse where he graduated from the 8th grade in 1938. He continued his education at Fergus Falls High School and graduated in 1942.
Ole was an avid ski jumper in the 40's and 50's and participated in many competitions across the state, jumping most often at the ski jump near Dalton. He always said, "I was never any good, but I had a lot of fun trying to get good!"
He married Yvonne Van Sickle September 4th, 1955 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. Ole was a volunteer fireman and was very proud of the fact that he and his bride were "paraded in their wedding gear" down Lincoln avenue high atop the "Buffalo" fire truck. He said "Pal the fire dog rode on the highest spot on the truck, ears flying in the wind!" Together, they had two children whom Ole very much enjoyed spending time with.
Olaf was a resident of Fergus Falls for more than 30 years, where he owned and operated a concrete contracting business. He served as a member of the Fergus Falls Fire Department for 28 years, the Otter Tail County Fair board for nine years, and was an effective Alderman in the First Ward for the City of Fergus Falls for three terms. One of the things he was most proud of accomplishing while a councilman was introducing the action that led to the formation of Delagoon Park. While a member of the Swan Lake Lutheran Church, he served his church in many areas, including more than 25 years as caretaker of the Swan Lake Cemetery.
Olaf and Yvonne travelled together in all 50 states, Mexico and six countries in Europe. They crossed the Canadian border in 13 different places and crossed both oceans by boat. After having two children, they very much enjoyed many of these travels together as a family.
In 1981, he and Yvonne moved to Indian Lake in Dane Prairie Township, not far from his birthplace. Ole loved nature very much. After moving to the lake from Fergus Falls, he planted over 100 evergreen trees, which today are many feet high and he always said, "Nature had shaped them perfectly." He loved to stroll about his woods and share them with his family and friends. He often reported about the wildlife he would see. Those very woods continue to provide many a memorable occasion for Ole's family. He also enjoyed his gardens and was known especially for his bumper raspberry crops. He even invented a picking bucket you could hang around your neck, allowing you to pick faster with both hands!
In 2012, Olaf and Yvonne moved back to Fergus Falls. On Saturday, April 4th, he became a brief resident at PioneerCare Nursing home in Fergus Falls. Just over one week later, Jesus called Ole home to be with Him in Heaven. Ole dearly loved his Lord and was an active member and Trustee of the Bethel Lutheran Church for many years and enjoyed singing in the choir. A wooden cross, which he crafted, still hangs at Bethel today.
More than anything on earth, he loved spending time with family and very much enjoyed his 2 children and their spouses, 5 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren and their frequent visits.
He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 60 years, Yvonne; son, Brian (Lori) of Fergus Falls, daughter Mary (John) Paulson of Fergus Falls; five grandchildren, Peter (Kim) Draxten of Fergus Falls, Luke (Courtney) Draxten of Fergus Falls, Matthew (Michelle) Draxten of Mounds View, MN, Hannah (Derrick) Clark of Plymouth, MN, and Katie (Josh) Haus of Fergus Falls; 10 great-grandchildren, Cohen, Sawyer, Julia & Jace Draxten, Drew and Lucky Draxten, Louis Draxten, Griffin, Maddox and Claire Haus; sister-in-law, Coral Draxten; niece, Margaret (Craig) Lilja and their family; and nephew, John Miller.
Olaf was preceded in death by his parents, Helmer and Ellen Draxten; his sister, Hjordis (Lloyd) Miller; brother, Harold Draxten; and by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Visitation: 5 - 7 PM Thursday, with a 6:30 PM Prayer Service, at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls, and one hour prior to services at the church.
Funeral Service: 11 AM Friday, April 17, 2015, at Bethel Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls
Clergy: Pastor David Foss and Pastor Ed Monson
Interment: Swan Lake Lutheran Cemetery, Dane Prairie Township, rural Fergus Falls
Memorials preferred to Swan Lake Church and Bethel Church Missions.
Ole's Video Tribute
Ole's Memorial Folder
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