Ludvig Olsen

Ludvig O. Olsen, 87, of Willmar, died Wednesday, March 10, at his home.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, March 13, at Vinje Lutheran Church in Willmar. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery in Willmar. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Friday, March 12, at the church and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home.

Ludvig was born July 3, 1922 near Keene North Dakota to Karl and Emma who both emigrated from Norway. He grew up on their prairie farm with four older brothers and one sister. He was baptized and confirmed at Clear Creek Lutheran Church near their home. He attended the local country one-room school through eighth grade and high school in Sacramento, California.
In 1947, he married Alice Anderson who was also from western North Dakota. They began their married life in Montevideo and moved to Willmar in 1950, where they have been members of Vinje Church for 60 years.
Lud installed farm drain tile for 34 years and enjoyed working with farmers. He also farmed himself in both Minnesota and North Dakota.
He was very proud of his Norwegian heritage and considered himself a Norwegian and a North Dakotan. A highlight of his life was a visit to Norway where he met many of his relatives. He felt it important for family members to know each other, and planned several reunions, bringing them together from across the country and Norway.
Lud and Alice enjoyed winters in Arizona where he started playing golf after age 50. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and arranged numerous trips to North Dakota, Montana, South Dakota and Canada with his brothers, son, grandchildren and nephews.
Ludvig is survived by his wife Alice, son Ted (Vivian) Olsen, daughter Sue (Jim) Meier, four grandchildren Renae (Thomas) Torborg, Ryan (Cherry) Olsen, Heather (Rafael) Marquez, Laura (Ray) Lanz; eleven great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and one sister.