Gerald Olson

Gerald "Jerry" Olson

Gerald "Jerry" Olson, age 67, of Motley, MN, and formerly of Pequot Lakes, MN died on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at the Lakewood Health System Hospital in Staples, MN.

Jerry was born April 2, 1942 in Boone, Iowa to Elmer and Blanche (Shephard) Olson. Jerry moved with his family to Pine River where he graduated from high school in 1961. He attended Staples Vocational School where he studied heavy equipment. Jerry worked in the Twin Cities and later returned to Pine River where he was married to Marjorie Schwab on November 30, 1963. He worked at Breezy Point before moving to Coon Rapids in 1966. He worked at FMC until 1974 when he bought the Mazeppa Minnesota School Bus Company and started Olson Trucking in 1975. Jerry moved to Pequot Lakes in 1999 and worked for Tri City Paving. He moved to Motley in 2001 and retired in 2006.

Jerry was a member of Mazeppa Voluntary Fire Department for 30 years.

He enjoyed restoring tractors, gardening, hunting and fishing.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Marjorie of Motley; daughters, Deborah Olson of Motley, MN and Brenda (James) Finn of Mantorville, MN; brother, Dennis (Karen) Olson of Anoka, MN; sisters, Colleen Mellgren of Blair, NE and Cynthia (Myrun) Gish of Pequot Lakes, MN; two grandsons, Taylor and Brady Finn; brother-in-law, Harold (Twila) Ward; sisters-in-law, Belma (Neil) Trout, Sharon (David) Stolzman and Janice (David) Evenhouse; and by several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial services will be held at 2 pm Sunday, August 23, 2009 at the Maple Hill Lutheran Church near Pine River. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. The Kline Funeral Home of Pine River is in charge of the arrangements.

The family prefers memorials.