Matthew Scott Olson

Matthew S. Olson, age 52, of Spicer, passed away Friday morning, August 12, at his parents home on Green Lake following a courageous battle against prostate cancer with his loving family by his side.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 18, at the Open Door Church in Spicer.  Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, August 17, at the Open Door Church and will also continue for one hour prior to the service.  A private interment will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are strongly encouraged to the family to honor Matt's favorite charities.  Arrangements are entrusted to the Peterson Brothers Funeral Home.  www.petersonbrothers.com

Matt was born on December 11, 1969, in Willmar, Minnesota, the son of Bruce and Carolyn (Melby) Olson.  He grew up in Willmar, was baptized and confirmed at Vinje Lutheran Church and graduated from Willmar High School in 1988.  In 1992, Matt graduated from St. Cloud State University and began working in the real estate business.  On August 17, 1996, Matt was united in marriage to Dana Jefson.  They made their home in the West Metro area where Matt was employed by United Properties as a commercial real estate agent from 1996 to 2010.  In 2010, they moved to the Spicer community and Matt worked alongside his mother, Carolyn at Edina Realty in Willmar.  In 2012, Matt joined the team at New London Real Estate.

He was a member of the Open Door Church and was active with the NL-S Grounds Crew and the River Lakes Youth Hockey program.  He served on the player development committee and as a youth hockey coach for 12 years. 

Matt was the most humble and kind father, husband, son, brother, and friend.  Matt was truly “the friend a friend would like to have.”  His favorite things to do with his buddies was golf, hunt, and fish; but above all, Matt loved spending time with his family. Whether at home or on the lake, that was where he loved to be. He loved everything hockey, from playing in his younger years to coaching his kids up until this year. He will forever be missed by all, but never ever forgotten.

He is survived by his loving wife, Dana; his three wonderful children, Paige, Brady and Sophia; his parents, Bruce and Carolyn Olson of Spicer; three siblings, Chris (and Sue) Olson of Steamboat Springs, CO., Jon (and Michelle) Olson of Spicer and Ben (and Tanya) Olson of Willmar.  Also surviving is his mother-in-law, Marcia Johnston of Woodbury; his father-in-law, Bruce Jefson of Oakdale and his beloved canine companions, Kasey and "Little Buddy", besides many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; Earl and Dorothy Olson and Art and Marion Melby.