Earl Olson

Earl I. Olson, age 84, of Willmar, died Thursday afternoon, April 10, at Bethesda Heritage Center in Willmar.

Funeral services will be held at 1 P.M., Tuesday, April 15, at the Word of Faith Family Church. The interment will be in Fairview Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Austin F. Hanscom American Legion Post 167 and the Finstad-Week VFW Post 1639 of Willmar. Memorials are preferred to the Willmar Food Shelf. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar. (www.petersonbrothers.com)

Earl Irve Olson was born on May 28, 1929, in Bagley, Minnesota, the son of Alvin "Bennie" and Grace (Ingalls) Olson, Sr.. He grew up in and received his education in Bagley, graduating from Bagley High School in 1947. He moved to Willmar in 1948 and worked for Chappell Duct Company until he entered the Army in 1951. He served during the Korean Conflict and returned to Willmar in 1953 after his discharge. Earl continued working with Chappell and traveled with them to Tulsa and Oklahoma City for a time. On May 4, 1956, he was married to Carole Brunberg in Grove City, and they made their home in Willmar. They moved to Minneapolis and he worked for an air conditioning company for a short time. Earl returned to Willmar and on November 25, 1965, he was married to Lorraine E. Olson in Bagley, MN. They made their home in Willmar, and he worked for over 10 years with Pederson Construction and later for the City of Willmar. Earl was very active in community recovery programs including the Becker House. He was also active in his church and was a life member of the Willmar VFW and American Legion.

He is survived by his daughter, Kathy Nelson of Plymouth; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a brother, Boyd (and Janice) Olson of Lake City; a sister, Winifred Muckala of Proctor; his former wife, Carole Nelson of Plymouth; and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lorraine in 2009; a son, Larry J. Olson; and special aunt and uncle, Frank and Fay Sim.

Cemetery Details