Dr. Gary Olson, 72, of Elysian Minnesota formerly of St. James, Minnesota died on Tuesday, May 26, 2009.
Services were held on Monday, June 1, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in St. James with a private family burial in Mt. Hope Cemetery prior to the services.
Visitation was held on Sunday, May 31, 2009 from 4:00 until 8:00 at the Pease Funeral Home in St. James.
Gary Olson was born on July 1, 1936 to Al and Beatrice (Johnson) Olson in Slayton, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at Hadley Lutheran Church in Hadley, Minnesota. He grew up in Slayton. His love of basketball, baseball and other sports began in high school. While in high school he decided he wanted to become an optometrist and after 3 years of college at St. Olaf in Northfield, he went on to complete his studies at Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago where he graduated in June of 1960.
It was at Shetek Bible Camp that he met Sandra Bakken in 1957 and they were married on July 24, 1960 at St. Olaf Church in Walnut Grove. They lived in Hills, Minnesota for 4 years where Sandi taught Home-Ec and Gary worked in Luverne with Dr. Getman. They then decided to move to St. James where he began his own practice in 1964. He truly enjoyed the 40 years he was an optometrist before retirement. Knowing his patients and helping them have better vision was what he thoroughly loved.
Gary was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne and than at First Lutheran Church in St. James where he enjoyed singing in the choir, teaching Sunday school and serving on various church committees. He was a past member of the St. James Lions Club.
He is remembered for his deep, unwavering faith, his love of family, deep friendships, his sense of humor and most of all, for his positive attitude in spite of heath difficulties and limitations these last few years. He lived a full and determined life.
Some of his favorite things were reading, camping, spending time on his computer, chocolate, popcorn, homemade ice cream, keeping up on events and especially attending his grandkids events. Gary and Sandi enjoyed attending concerts, movies and traveling to many different countries and cultures together. It has been an honor and a privilege to have shared in his life.
Survivors include his wife, Sandi; three children and their spouses, Scott (Gina) of St. James, MN, Kris (Jeff) Schmitz of Owatonna, MN and Erik (Shelly) of North Mankato; grandchildren, Megan, Paige and Connor Olson, Laura, Brooke and Michael Schmitz and Sam, Gunnar and Annie Olson; sister, Marlee Daehlin and husband, Ted of Monticello, MN.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Al and Bea Olson.
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Dr. Gary Olson, 72, of Elysian Minnesota formerly of St. James, Minnesota died on Tuesday, May 26, 2009.
Services were held on Monday, June 1, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in St. James with a private family burial in Mt. Hope Cemetery prior to the services.
Visitation was held on Sunday, May 31, 2009 from 4:00 until 8:00 at the Pease Funeral Home in St. James.
Gary Olson was born on July 1, 1936 to Al and Beatrice (Johnson) Olson in Slayton, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at Hadley Lutheran Church in Hadley, Minnesota. He grew up in Slayton. His love of basketball, baseball and other sports began in high school. While in high school he decided he wanted to become an optometrist and after 3 years of college at St. Olaf in Northfield, he went on to complete his studies at Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago where he graduated in June of 1960.
It was at Shetek Bible Camp that he met Sandra Bakken in 1957 and they were married on July 24, 1960 at St. Olaf Church in Walnut Grove. They lived in Hills, Minnesota for 4 years where Sandi taught Home-Ec and Gary worked in Luverne with Dr. Getman. They then decided to move to St. James where he began his own practice in 1964. He truly enjoyed the 40 years he was an optometrist before retirement. Knowing his patients and helping them have better vision was what he thoroughly loved.
Gary was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne and than at First Lutheran Church in St. James where he enjoyed singing in the choir, teaching Sunday school and serving on various church committees. He was a past member of the St. James Lions Club.
He is remembered for his deep, unwavering faith, his love of family, deep friendships, his sense of humor and most of all, for his positive attitude in spite of heath difficulties and limitations these last few years. He lived a full and determined life.
Some of his favorite things were reading, camping, spending time on his computer, chocolate, popcorn, homemade ice cream, keeping up on events and especially attending his grandkids events. Gary and Sandi enjoyed attending concerts, movies and traveling to many different countries and cultures together. It has been an honor and a privilege to have shared in his life.
Survivors include his wife, Sandi; three children and their spouses, Scott (Gina) of St. James, MN, Kris (Jeff) Schmitz of Owatonna, MN and Erik (Shelly) of North Mankato; grandchildren, Megan, Paige and Connor Olson, Laura, Brooke and Michael Schmitz and Sam, Gunnar and Annie Olson; sister, Marlee Daehlin and husband, Ted of Monticello, MN.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Al and Bea Olson.
