Gerald "Jerry" Olsen

Gerald "Jerry" Olsen, 69 of Park Rapids, MN, died peacefully at his home with his beloved wife of 47 years Kathy and his family by his side. Jerry was born in October 1951 to Edwin and Marlis Olsen in Fargo, ND. He attended grammar school in Erie, ND and 7th through 12th grade in Hillsboro, ND, graduating from Hillsboro High School in 1969. He graduated with his associates degree in Accounting from Moorhead Voc-Tech in 1976. He enlisted in the Army in September of 1970 and proudly served his country in Vietnam for 11 months. He was honorably discharge in July 1974. He wed his high school sweetheart and soulmate Kathy in June of 1974 and together they raised three children, Nate, Amy, and Josh. Jerry was privileged to work for the United Parcel Service for 33 years. During his career at UPS, he moved his family around the country to Minnesota, South Dakota, Colorado, Florida, New Jersey, and Nebraska. He helped UPS open the United Kingdom in 1985 for delivery service. He loved his family and he loved living on Potato Lake in Park Rapids. He was the loon whisper on the lake and every year enjoyed placing the loon nests out, anxiously waiting for the new hatch. His hobbies included fishing, hunting, wood working, traveling, auctioning and genealogy. Jerry was a big community supporter and enjoyed volunteering. He always reminded his family to "pay it forward and leave this place better than you found it." With heartfelt gratitude to the Roger Maris Cancer Center, Dr. Steen, and Dr. Wiisanen, and CHI Hospice Care for their unwavering support and compassionate care throughout Jerry's cancer journey. He is survived by his wife, Kathy; his three children Nate (Beth) Olsen of Arvada, CO, Amy (Jeremy) Frazer of Geneva, IL, and Josh Olsen of Longmont, CO; 5 grandchildren Madelyn, Chip, Noah, Abigail, and Joshua; his mother, Marlis Olsen of Hillsboro, ND, his younger brothers and sisters - Bonnie (Richard) Mueller, Tom (Steph) Olsen, Jim (Jackie) Olsen, Lynette (Terry) Gust, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. He is preceded in death by his father, Edwin Olsen and his grandparents Edwin C. Olsen and Agnes Nelson, Herman and Viola Thielman; his mother-in-law and father-in-law Beulah and Herman Koering, brother-in-laws Gary and Barrie Koering. A Prayer Service will be held at Calvary Lutheran Church Thursday, July 1st at 7pm. His Celebration of Life will be Friday, July 2nd at Our Saviors Lutheran Church with burial to follow at Riverside Cemetery in Hillsboro, ND. Services will be live-streamed through Our Saviors Website. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to CHI Hospice in Park Rapids, MN, Barrie Koering Scholarship Fund at Mayville State University or Hillsboro High School, or your local Habitat for Humanity Chapter.