Donald
M. Olson, 77
Brainerd - Donald M. Olson, 77, died on Tuesday, May 4, 1999 at Bethany Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Brainerd.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 10 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls with Reverend Tim Bauer officiating. Ida Nordvall was the organist, and the soloist was Roy Hope. Casketbearers were his sons, John Olson, Gary Olson, Duane Olson, Jeffrey Olson, Roger Olson and Eugene Olson. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls. The Green Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Donald Melvin Olson was born on January 6, 1922 in Liberty township of Beltrami county, the son of Oscar W. and Alice C. (Jacobson) Olson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He attend Lincoln Elementary School in Nymore and graduated from Bemidji High School.
Donald served in the Naval Air Corps during World War II as a flight instructor at Love Field, Dallas/Fort Worth, TX and at the Naval Air Station in New Orleans, LA. He was honorably discharged and returned to Bemidji where he worked for Patterson Clothing.
In May of 1946 he was united in marriage to Rosella Geraldine "Gerry" Bye. He owned a clothing store in Graceton, and in 1951 the couple moved to Thief River Falls where Donald owned the Coast to Coast store. He also sold fertilizer and automotive products. Gerry died on June 30, 1986.
Donald was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, an active member of the Bemidji and Thief River Falls Jaycees and the Bemidji Drum and Bugle Corps. He served on the Thief River Falls City Council, the Chamber of Commerce and was commander of the American Legion Post 117 of Thief River Falls. He was also a member of the Lions Club, Rotary Club and Eagles.
He was an avid hunter and fishermen who enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Donald is survived by one brother, Arvid of Williams; one sister, Marguerite MaGaurn of Bemidji; six sons, John (Deanne) of Brookings, SD, Gary of Hitterdal, Duane (Pam) of Kenai, AK, Jeff (Martha) of Luck, WI, Roger (Linda) of Prior Lake and Eugene (special friend Karen) of Alexandria; one daughter, Marie (Tom) Numedahl of Brainerd; 19 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and many other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Gerry; an infant son; one brother, Floyd; and one grandson, Stanley Dean Olson.
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