Donald Olsen

Donald Ervin Olsen, age 86, died peacefully Saturday, July 6, 2013, at his home in Staples, surrounded by his loving family. A funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM at Faith Lutheran Church in Staples on Wednesday, July 10, with visitation at the church from 10:00 until 11:00 AM. Burial will be in Evergreen Hill Cemetery in Staples, followed by a luncheon at the church. There will be a visitation at Brenny Funeral Home in Staples on Tuesday, July 9 from 5:00 until 7:00 PM with a Masonic Service at 6:45 PM.

Donald was born on October 27, 1926, to parents, Ervin and Hazel (Tyre) Olsen in Bagley, Minnesota. He graduated from Bagley High School in 1944 and entered the U S Navy in WWII a short time later. He was honorably discharged in 1946. Don married Carol Harmon on November 26, 1959. Together, they raised his two children, Dwight and Merrie, from his first marriage and their two children, Mark & Linda. Donald was the Busines Manager at the Clearwater Clinic in Bagley for thirteen years before moving with his family to Staples, where he was the Business Manager for Lakewood Clinic for twenty years before his retirement. Following retirement, he and Carol enjoyed several winters traveling to Arizona and other places in their motorhome. He was active in many community organizations, Faith Lutheran Church, HiRise Board, Evergreen Hill Cemetery Board, and the Senior Citizen's Board, until the time of his death, and several other community organizations and projects earlier in his life. He loved spending time with his family and also enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, traveling, playing cards, etc.

Donald is survived by his wife, Carol, their four children, Dwight Olsen, Merrie (David) Beaman, Mark (Erin) Olsen, Linda Thiem, and ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ervin & Hazel Olsen, and two grandchildren, Joshua Thiem and Meri Ruth Beaman.