Melvin "Willie" Olson

melvin

Melvin " Willie" Olson, 88, Fargo, died Friday in Rosewood on Broadway, Fargo.

Melvin Olson was born April 22, 1922 in Breckenridge, MN, the son of Melvin C. and Anna Olson.  He attended grade school and high school in Wahpeton, ND.  He served in the U. S. Army from 1941-45.   While in the Army, he served in the Amphibious Engineers landing unit in Southern New Guinea, the 9th Division of the Australian Army, Dutch New Guinea, and Philippines American Army. He was united in marriage with Patricia Connelly in October 1947 in Breckenridge, MN.  He worked for Northwestern Equipment, Midland Diesel Service, and St. Luke's Hospital warehouse, all in Fargo.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus since 1940.

He is survived by his children, John (Barb) Olson, Hawley, MN, Linda Borkenhagen, West Fargo, ND, Thomas (Pam) Olson, Pelican Rapids, MN, Timothy Olson, Manitowoc, WI, Donnie (Sandi) Olson, Halstad, MN, Patrick Olson, Moorhead, MN, Dave (Pam) Olson, Fargo, ND, Lori (Bill) Brown, Minot, ND, James (Joanie) Olson, Sioux Falls, SD and Janet (Mark) Melby, Fargo, ND; 15 grandchildren;  3 great grandchildren three brothers, Jack (Pat) Wahpeton, ND , Kermit (Joan) Internatinal Falls, MN, and Wallace Juneau, AK; and one sister, Valeria King, Wahpeton, ND.

He was preceded in death by his wife in 1999; his parents, and a sister, Mary Mercer and son-in-law Gary Borkenhagen.

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  1. Manitowoc WIDear Tim,
    You have our deepest sympathy.
    Please know that you continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.
    Sincerely,
    Doug, Susan & Justin

  2. Manitowoc WITim, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. Your father sounded very special and we enjoyed reading about him in Insights. May your memories of happier times and faith help you through this.
    Love, The Ley Family,
    Mike, Cathy, Andrew, Adam & Aubrey

  3. monterey caDear Olsons,
    My family lived next door to your parents on 8th Avenue until my mom’s death several years ago. We could not have asked for better neighbors than your mom and dad. When we moved away and my mom was living there by herself, we all felt more comfortable knowing she was next door to such caring people. Your dad used to kid my mom about spending summers at my sister’s cabin in Detroit Lakes. She was gone all summer, and Melvin doubted she would qualify to vote in the precinct after such a long absence! I remember you all with fondness, and your family is in my prayers at this difficult time.

    Margaret Chisholm Rand

  4. Manitowoc, WI Mr. Olson,
    We are sorry to hear about the loss of your father. We didn’t know your dad, but we understand how important our parents are in shaping the person we become. Because of what we know about you and your character we believe he must have been a good man! We will remember you and your family in our prayers.

  5. Manitowoc WI
    Tim,

    We would like to send our deepest condolences to you and your family. May God Bless you during this difficult time.

  6. Mr. Olson,

    We are so sorry to hear of your loss. From the articles in the Roncalli Insights it is clear you respected him very much.

    Denise, Randy and Orion Schemenauer

  7. Manitowoc WITim,
    Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

    Dave & Cherie
    Joelle ’10 & Chris ’08

  8. Two Rivers WIMr. Olson,
    We are very sorry to hear of the loss of your dad. Your dad must have been a very special man, because you have awesome qualities that your dad instilled in you. You have and still continue to make your dad very proud.

    Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this time.

    Tom, Therese Schmitt and Family

  9. Kewaunee WIMy condolences to you and your family, Tim. You spoke very highly of your father, and I know you admired him greatly. Willie lives on through you and your siblings, his impressions upon you will live on.
    Sue

  10. Manitowoc WIMr Olson, Our entire family would like to gvie you our sympathy in the loss of your father. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Mike, Mary Jo, Brianna and Brandon Schad

  11. Plymouth MIJohn,
    Not since our Navy days do I think we’ve seen each other – maybe 1 or 2 times?
    Sounds like your dad’s WWII experiences were very similar to mine – same are of the Pacific. I don’t think we ever talked of it.
    I lost my dad when he was about the same age as yours in 2003 – am staring up at the military flag from his funeral as I type this. My deepest sympathy to you and your impressive family. Larry

  12. Manitowoc WI Tim, our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family, We remember many stories you told about your father in some of the insights at Roncalli HS we never met your father but with the many stories we feel like we knew him, we picture him as a very loving and gentle person, God Bless you and your family

  13. Fargo ND
    We went on several trips with “Willie” and Carl Bjerke. Bud hosted some of them for Judy’s Leisure Tours. We met one of his daughters on a trip to Winnipeg. We thought a lot of him.

  14. two rivers wis.Dear Tim we are so sorry to hear about your dad. what a fine looking man he was. now we know were you get your good looks from. you and your family are in our prays and thoughts on this sad day. always tom and vicki bushman

  15. Santa Clarita CATo our cousins: Uncle Willie is fondly remembered as a warm, kind man, full of humor, and a great story teller. You are suffering a great loss of a man who leaves a wonderful legacy in his children, grand-children, and great-grandchildren. Thank you for sharing him with the rest of his extended family and friends over the years.

    To Uncle Wally, Uncle Kermit, Aunt Tootie, and our father, Jack: You have lost a dear friend in your brother, but he has left you with a thousand memories. May they sustain you forever.

  16. sioux falls SDWillie’s family is in our prayers this week. I am sure he is proud of the legacy he leaves in our dear friends, Jim and Joanie and their kids, Sam and Emily. They will certainly carry on his strong faith and caring nature. Rest in peace.

  17. Chippewa Falls WII am very sorry for your loss. I fondly remember the Sunday gatherings at your folk’s house. I always felt welcomed and at home. I will keep Willie and all of you in my prayers. God Bless you! Brother Roger

  18. Manitowoc WisconsinTim-

    Please accept my deepest condolences to you and your family on the loss of your father. I did not know him but I recall that you mentioned him several times in your letters in the Roncalli Insights. Those stories usually made me laugh. He sounds like he was a very interesting man.

  19. Manitwooc WITim, we are thinking of you and your family during this sad time. Our prayers are with all of you.

    Tony & Denise Holzinger

  20. Oshkosh WIDear Family,

    I did not personally know Melvin. I only know Tim. I do know the stories Tim has told and they were always told with admiration and good humor. I pray that this man who fathered such a fine man as Tim is at peace with his Creator and I offer my sympathy for your loss.

    Sincerely,

    Sister Anne Marie Lom

  21. John Linda Tom and Tim I remember the St Mary’s days and gathering at the Olson home. Seeing Willie at the Shanley events and the KC’s . My prayers are with you and your family.
    God bless,
    Scotty

  22. Hi John Linda and Tom I remember the St Mary’s days and the Olson home where many of us gathered. All the Shanley events and seeing Willie up at the KC’s. My prayers are with you and your family.
    God bless,
    Scotty

  23. Sioux Falls SD Very sad to hear about Willie passing. Kaye and I will keep Willie and all of you in our prayers.

  24. Sioux Falls SDThinking of you all in the loss of this sweet man. We enjoyed meeting “Grandpa Willie” on his trips to SF for Thanksgiving over the years. Take care, The Hunter Family

  25. Wahpeton n dUncle Wille will be sadly missed and my sympathy to all of the family that he left behind but not without so many memories that we will cherish forever.


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