Charles Olson

Charles Leo "Charlie" Olson, 66, of Crookston, MN, died unexpectedly Saturday, July 9, 2016, at RiverView Health in Crookston with his loving family at his side. Charlie was born in Crookston on August 5, 1949, the son of Elmer Charles and Irene E. (Patenaude) Olson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith and spent the earliest years of his life on the family's farm, near Beltrami, MN. In 1955 they moved to Crookston, where he began his education at St. Joseph's Academy and graduating from Crookston Central High School in 1967. After attending Bemidji State College for a year, Charlie returned to Crookston where he earned an Associate Degree in Hotel, Motel, and Restaurant Management from the University of Minnesota Technical College. He then moved to Brainerd, MN and was employed at a local bar and lounge while also working for the MN Forestry Department. After returning to Crookston, Charlie was employed for a few years by Rene' Amiot moving houses, and also with the Shelly, MN VFW. He then began working for both the Oakdale Cemetery and Eagles Lodge #873. On February 14, 1981 Charlie was united in marriage to the love of his life, Carole Anne Swenson, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Crookston. In the mid-1980's Charlie began employment as caretaker of the Calvary Cemetery and offsale manager at the Irishman's Shanty. He continued his association with both to the present time.

Charlie was a member of the Cathedral parish and Eagles Aerie #873. At various stages of his life he enjoyed playing softball, bowling, golfing, and playing cards and cribbage. He enjoyed many wonderful friendships and 'trading insults' with his buddies was as normal as the sun coming up in the morning. Spending time with his loving family meant the world to Charlie, and his 3-year old granddaughter, Tressa Jean, was truly the "light of his life." Grateful to have shared in Charlie's life is his beloved wife and best friend, Carole Anne; their son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter, Zachariah, Katie, and Tressa Jean Olson of East Grand Forks, MN; sister, Lynn Olson (Steven Swenson) of Crookston, MN; Carole's family: Steven Swenson of Crookston, Merry Jo (Glen) Prather of Grand Fork, ND, Bruce Swenson (Joe Sanft) of Chicago, IL, Richard (Kristi) Swenson of New Rockford, ND, and Perry Ambuehl of Crookston; his aunts and uncles: Helen Bly of Sioux Falls, SD, Ray (Jean) Olson of Mesa, AZ, Frank (Lucille) Olson of Rochester, MN, Ed (Lorraine) Olson of Rosemoor, CA, Maurice (Joan) Olson of Palm Desert, CA, and Pat Olson of West Bend, WI; and many nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Irene; infant brother, Keith; grand-parents, Charles and Lena Olson and Leo and Thressa Patenaude; sister-in-law, Laurel Ambuehl; and aunts and uncles: Beatrice Grove, and LuVerne, Kathleen, and Willard Olson. May God bless Charlie's memory. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial for Charlie Olson will be held at 10:30am, Friday, July 15, 2016, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Crookston with The Rev. Vincent Miller, presiding. Visitation will be at the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home on Thursday from 5-7:00pm, with a 7:00 pm prayer service and time of sharing, and at the Cathedral for one hour prior to the Mass. Inurnment will follow in the Calvary Cemetery, Crookston.

Funeral Home: Stenshoel-Houske Funeral & Cremation Service 615 South Minnesota Street Crookston, MN US 56716

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Previous Events

Visitation
Thursday, July 14, 2016
Service
Friday, July 15, 2016