Willard Olson, 91, of
Evansville
died Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at the
Ebenezer
Ridges
Care
Center
in
Burnsville
,
MN
.
He was born in rural
Evansville
on November 24, 1918 to Carl and Ottelia “Tillie” Olson.
He was baptized at
Christina
Lake
Lutheran
Church
in rural
Evansville
.
He attended school through the eighth grade at
Oak
Hill
Country
School
in rural
Evansville
.
In 1942, Willard joined the U.S. Army and was part of the D-Day Normandy Invasion on
Utah
Beach
as a member of the armored infantry with General George Patton’s 3
rd
Army.
He was wounded twice and was awarded the Purple Heart.
He was honorably discharged in 1945.
After his discharge from the army, Willard was a dairy farmer in
Evansville
.
In 1994, he moved to
Babbit
,
MN
and in 2000, he moved back to
Evansville
.
Willard wintered in Apache Junction, AZ.
Willard was a member of the American Legion.
He enjoyed woodworking, hunting and fishing.
He is survived by his son, Eric (
Beverly
) Olson of Burnsville; his granddaughter, Zoe Olson of
Burnsville
; a sister, Evelyn Satnan of
Bloomington
; a sister-in-law, Lorry Olson of Evansville; three nephews: Dave Satnan, Don Satnan and Gary Satnan and by Eric’s mother, Betty Lou Olson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Allie Olson; a brother-in-law, Wendell Satnan; and his life partner, Rose Renner.
