Jerome “Butch” Olson, 81, Fertile, MN, died on Friday, July 30, 2021, at home with his family by his side.
He was born on October 19, 1939, in Spring Creek Township, Norman County, to Floyd and Sylvia (Bak) Olson. He grew up on the farm southwest of Fertile, attending Fertile School until 9th grade. He enlisted in the Marines in 1957. He was honorably discharged in 1959 when he entered the workforce.
He married Marlene Leines on October 21, 1957. They were blessed with six children. He went to work at the Fertile Hatchery and Feed Company. In 1972 he started his own business, Olson and Sons Excavating.
With the loss of Marlene in 1973, he married Michell (Mike) Christianson in 1975, in which he gained another son. He later sold the business to his son, Tim. He continued working with Ray Christian in Christian Excavating. They worked well with the family business in providing trucks and big equipment. Butch retired in 2017.
Butch enjoyed fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, motorcycling, dancing, building, and organizing odd jobs at home or in the shop. Most of all, he loved helping others.
He liked trips around Fertile with his old pick-up, his pet dog Lady, and later with Remy at his side.
Butch was involved with his community as a member of the American Legion for 36 years and was a firefighter in Fertile for 26 years. He was also a lifetime member of Concordia Lutheran Church.
He is survived by his wife, Michell (Grandma Mike) Olson; aunt, June Dale; his sons and daughters, Tim (Vickie) Olson, Todd (Sharon) Olson, Michelle Olson, Melissa (Tom) Oftedahl, Michael (Jennifer) Christianson, and Dean (Amber) Olson; grandchildren, Danielle (Andy), Bryce, Luke (Macai), Ben (Anna), Gabriel, Caleb (Julia), Miriam, Trent (Stacey), Brittany, Isaac, Andrea, Alison and Hunter; foreign exchange students, Miku and Alex; eleven great-grandchildren; and numerous family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Sylvia Olson; stepfather, Don Lee; first wife, Marlene Olson; beloved son, Dave Olson; brother, Roger Olson; sister, Marjorie McIntyre; and grandson, Nicolas Olson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the American Cancer Society.
Celebration of Life Service: 10:30 AM Friday, August 6, 2021, at Fertile-Beltrami High School Gymnasium, Fertile, MN.
Visitation: Thursday, August 5, 2021, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a 6:30 PM prayer service at Fertile-Beltrami High School Gymnasium, Fertile, MN.
Interment with full military rites: Concordia South Lutheran Cemetery, Fertile, MN.
Arrangements with Erikson-Vik-Ganje Funeral Home
