Theodore Olson

Theodore (Ted ) Olson died peacefully at his beloved Duck Lake Farm on June 4,2015. He had suffered many years with C.O.P.D. and benefited from the excellent care he received from his wife Mary Jane and Essentia Health - especially Dr. Dunphy and also many others.
Ted Olson was born January 10, 1923 in Pine River, Minnesota. The Family of 10 moved to Henry, South Dakota when Ted was two. He grew up on the farm and loved it. Sadly, when the "Great Dust Storm" came in the 30's; the family lost their cattle and eventually they lost the farm as well. The family left South Dakota and moved to Minnetonka, MN determined to start over and they did. Ted went on to Vocational School. He was very talented and worked many years at Honeywell in Tool and Die Design. He had built a number of homes, including his own in Minnetonka where they raised a family, his mother's home and his sister's home both on St Alban's Bay on Lake Minnetonka as well as his sister-in-law's home. He had wanted to leave the city and in 1972 they decided to move north. That is when he bought his beloved 80 acres on Duck Lake and that was home.
During his lifetime, Ted invented and designed many things. He was a Craftsman and no job was too challenging. You never dared to tell him that couldn't be done or even think about hiring someone to complete a task!

Ted joined the Marine Corps during World War II and fought in Guam. He was part of the Iwo Jima landing and watched the United States Flag raising on Mount Suribachi; while bombs were going off all around him and caused hearing problems for the rest of his life. He was proud to serve the country he loved.

Ted was a man of high integrity and valued honesty above all. He loved to hunt and did so for many years; with his brothers, sons and nephews. Ted was an avid fisherman, loved golf and snowmobiling. He has a very large collection of bowling trophies as well. He also enjoyed a little Casino time, especially when he won!!

Ted was preceded in death by his parents, William Olson and Ola Sue Grinols; his wife of 46 years, Doris Lobdell; his sisters: Baby Mary Louise Olson, Frances Kingslien and Violette Kildahl; his brothers, William Olson, Rodger Olson, Lee Olson; four brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law.

He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Mary Jane; his sons, Gerard (Pam) of Sherwood, Oregon, David and Stephan of Trinidad, Colorado; daughters, Michelle Olson of Rapid City, South Dakota, Wendy Lobdell of St Paul, Minnesota; his sisters, Polly Lundeen of Breezy Point, Minnesota and Betty Olsen of Seattle, Washington; 8 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Ted will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a contribution to the charity of your choice.

Memorial services will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, June 13, at Kline Funeral Home, 30208 Lilac Drive, Pequot Lakes, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN.