James Olson

James Charlie Olson, 97, of Fergus Falls, formerly of Ashby, died Saturday, December 16, 2017, at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Fergus Falls.

James was born on August 15, 1920 in Wells, MN to Fred and Laura (Gaines) Olson.  At the age of 13, he was sent to a foster home in Underwood, MN, where he remained and worked on a family farm until the age of 21.  He then joined the United States Army and was stationed on the Aleutian Islands, serving also in Germany, Belgium, and France.  He was honorably discharged in the spring of 1945.

Upon returning home from service, he married Doris Johansen on February 23, 1946.

James began his career at Deere and Weber in Minneapolis and remained there for 37 years, retiring on April 8, 1983.  Jim and Doris then moved to their small farm near Ashby, MN, and later built a new home in town, where they lived until 2011, when they moved into Fergus Falls.

He was a member of the Ashby American Legion and a life member of VFW Post 612 in Fergus Falls.  James was also an avid fisherman and loved hunting and gardening, which he won several first-place awards for his vegetables in the Ashby contests.

James is survived by his wife of 71 years, Doris of Fergus Falls; a son, James (Jennifer) Olson Jr. of Punta Gorda, Florida; a daughter, Mary Jane (Gerald) Erickson of Dalton; three grandchildren, Jeremy (Marsha) Erickson of Dalton, Tanya Olson of Punta Gorda, FL, and Jason (Christina) Olson of Bismarck, ND; six great-grandchildren, Tyler and Calee Olson of Bismarck, ND, Brooke Wallington of St. Paul, MN, David Wallington, Anna and Thomas Erickson, of Dalton; sisters, Virginia Busch, Evonne Holt, Jean Lewellyn, Judy Lewellyn, and Lorraine Neilson; a brother, Dennis Olson; his fur baby, Mia; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by his sisters, Iva Christensen and Darlene Ravenhorst; and brothers, Wilfred Willer, Marvin Olson and Carl Olson.

Memorials are preferred to the Sarpsborg Cemetery Fund – 15713 253rd Ave, Dalton, MN 56324 or the Fergus Falls Veterans Home.

Visitation:  5 – 7 PM Thursday, at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls, and one hour prior to services at the church.

Funeral Service:  2 PM Friday, December 22, 2017, at First Presbyterian Church, Ashby, MN, with visitation one hour prior to services at the church.

Clergy:  Reverend Matthew Zelie

Interment:  Sarpsborg Lutheran Cemetery, Dalton, Minnesota

Online Guestbook:  GlendeNilson.com

James' Memorial Folder