Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of Donald C. Olson, 85, of St. Cloud will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 28, 2011 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in St. Cloud. Don passed away peacefully with his wife at his side on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at Quiet Oaks Hospice House. Rev. Donald Wagner and Rev. Thomas Knoblach will con-celebrate. Burial with honors will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Little Falls.
Family and friends may call from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday at the Daniel Funeral Home in St. Cloud and after 9:00 a.m. on Monday at the church. The St. Cloud VFW Granite Post #428 will pray at 6:30 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.
Don was born on March 19, 1926 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Gustave and Emma (Martinson) Olson. After high school, he served as a Radio Operator on a tanker in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He married Theresa M. “Terry” Wagner on May 9, 1953 at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Clearwater. They made their home and raised their six children in St. Cloud. Don was an Optician at Gaida’s Opticians for 30 years. He was an active member of St. Anthony’s Parish and former 25 year member of the church Choir. He was also a member of the St. Cloud VFW Granite Post #428.
Don enjoyed woodworking, fishing with family, and especially the 25 years of square dancing with his wife, Terry.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Terry of St. Cloud; children, Steve (Laura) of St. Cloud, Linda (Dave) Looney of Maple Grove, Kevin (Julie) of International Falls, Catherine “Kit” Bertsch of Portland, OR, Mike (Nancy) of Oakton, VA, Mark (Kelly) of Rosemount; 13 grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Gladys Aschemeyer.
The family would like to thank the staff of the St. Cloud Hospital Hospice and especially the staff of Quiet Oaks Hospice House for their phenomenal care.
Memorials are preferred to Quiet Oaks Hospice House.
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We have good memories of Don. We enjoyed his company when we came up from Chicago to go fishing with Joe and Katie Wagner. He taught me (Mary) how to fillet a fish and I remember him each time I clean fish. He’d laugh at that, I’m sure. We’ll keep him in our prayers.
Herb and Mary Binsfeld
, Cousin-in-law
We’re sorry for your family’s loss of Don. Our thoughts are with all of you!!!
Chris & Amy Watercott
, in-laws March 23, 2011
My sympathy to you on the death of your Father, and loved one to many. Though I do not have specific memories of him, I know I have met him at some family events. I want you to know you are in my thoughts and prayers these days. May he LIVE in PEACE! And may all of you experience PEACE as you grieve the loss of his presence.
Sister M. Christelle Watercott, OSF
, Cousin to Kevin's wife, Julie, March 27, 2011
We know how important Don was to Mike, Nancy and kids and we want to let you know that we are thinking of you.
Ed and Wendy Keever
, Cousin to Nancy Olson March 26, 2011
I can’t help but think that when Tom Brokaw wrote, “The Greatest Generation”, both Don Olson and my father, John Watercott, truly fit the character that he describes in his book. And I see it in Don’s son, my brother-in-law, Kevin. I see it in Kevin and Julie’s kids; Katie, Matt, Daniel, and Lauren. What a wonderful gift to give to us! Service above self to family, community, and country. Kathryn and I offer our condolences to the Olson family in this time of loss. As we live, in gratitude, may we honor those that have passed on.
Pete Watercott & Kathryn Erickson
, in-laws March 24, 2011
We have good memories of Don. We enjoyed his company when we came up from Chicago to go fishing with Joe and Katie Wagner. He taught me (Mary) how to fillet a fish and I remember him each time I clean fish. He’d laugh at that, I’m sure. We’ll keep him in our prayers.
Herb and Mary Binsfeld
, Cousin-in-law
We’re sorry for your family’s loss of Don. Our thoughts are with all of you!!!
Chris & Amy Watercott
, in-laws March 23, 2011
My sympathy to you on the death of your Father, and loved one to many. Though I do not have specific memories of him, I know I have met him at some family events. I want you to know you are in my thoughts and prayers these days. May he LIVE in PEACE! And may all of you experience PEACE as you grieve the loss of his presence.
Sister M. Christelle Watercott, OSF
, Cousin to Kevin's wife, Julie, March 27, 2011
We know how important Don was to Mike, Nancy and kids and we want to let you know that we are thinking of you.
Ed and Wendy Keever
, Cousin to Nancy Olson March 26, 2011
I can’t help but think that when Tom Brokaw wrote, “The Greatest Generation”, both Don Olson and my father, John Watercott, truly fit the character that he describes in his book. And I see it in Don’s son, my brother-in-law, Kevin. I see it in Kevin and Julie’s kids; Katie, Matt, Daniel, and Lauren. What a wonderful gift to give to us! Service above self to family, community, and country. Kathryn and I offer our condolences to the Olson family in this time of loss. As we live, in gratitude, may we honor those that have passed on.
Pete Watercott & Kathryn Erickson
, in-laws March 24, 2011
We have good memories of Don. We enjoyed his company when we came up from Chicago to go fishing with Joe and Katie Wagner. He taught me (Mary) how to fillet a fish and I remember him each time I clean fish. He’d laugh at that, I’m sure. We’ll keep him in our prayers.
Herb and Mary Binsfeld
, Cousin-in-law
We’re sorry for your family’s loss of Don. Our thoughts are with all of you!!!
Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of Donald C. Olson, 85, of St. Cloud will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 28, 2011 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in St. Cloud. Don passed away peacefully with his wife at his side on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at Quiet Oaks Hospice House. Rev. Donald Wagner and Rev. Thomas Knoblach will con-celebrate. Burial with honors will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Little Falls.
Family and friends may call from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday at the Daniel Funeral Home in St. Cloud and after 9:00 a.m. on Monday at the church. The St. Cloud VFW Granite Post #428 will pray at 6:30 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.