With heavy hearts, we share the passing of John Wayne Olson, Sr., on Friday, March 7, at Sanford Hospital in Thief River Falls, MN.
A celebration of John’s life will be held at 2:00 PM on March 29, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, with visitation one hour before the service. Military Honors will be held outside the church following the service and a lunch will follow at the American Legion in Thief River Falls.
John was born on February 2, 1948, in Thief River Falls. He is the son of Clarence and Clara Timm Olson. He was confirmed and baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. He was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church. John attended Northrop Elementary School and Lincoln High School, graduating in 1966.
It was at Lincoln that John participated in football, hockey and track. He lettered in all three sports during his junior and senior years. In his junior year, 1965, John played on the Prowler Hockey team under coach George Schlieff. There was only one class at that time and this team went to the State High School Hockey Tournament. They won both Sub-Region 8 games against East Grand Forks and Crookston Central. In the Region 8 tournament, the Prowlers beat Baudette, which advanced them to the championship game where they lost to Roseau, 3-1. The Prowlers had another chance to go to the State tournament through what was called the “back door” from Region 3, where they beat Duluth East, 2-1. John scored the winning goal with 3:28 to go in the 3rd period. They lost both games at State but getting there was quite a journey.
John served in the United States Army from January 1968 – August 1969 as a Sergeant in Korea during the Vietnam War.
In 1971, John married Delores Ann Brazier at Trinity Lutheran Church, in Thief River Falls. To this union they had three sons: Patrick (stillborn in 1971), John Jr., 1973, and James Allen, in 1975. John was a devoted husband to Delores, and so dearly tended to her many health needs when struggling with diabetes. In 2021, they celebrated 50 years of marriage before her passing in December 2022. John was so proud of his sons for starting and maintaining their successful business, Individual Fitness, which is in Concord and Manchester, New Hampshire.
John had a variety of jobs including Thompson Bees, Arctic Cat, City of Thief River Falls, driving the Bunny Bread Truck, Strata, Big C Construction with his brother Charlie, and up until his death, Hugo’s deli, in Thief River Falls. He enjoyed working there and visiting with all his customers.
John’s happiest place was being with and supporting his family. He was also happy when he would spend time at the Ranch, on the Moose River, north of Grygla. John, his brother Charlie and Tim Nord spent a lot of time together putting in crops, hunting, drinking coffee, talking politics and building their cabin. John was happy when he met his friends Greg Brekke, Joe Phillipp, Phil Reese and Mike Dunrud at Biff’s Kitchen in Thief River Falls. There, during the early hours of the morning, they would drink coffee and try to solve all the world’s problems. Another happy place for John was serving on the American Legion Post 117 Executive Board in Thief River Falls. He enjoyed the Legion meetings with his friends Greg Brekke, Gus Holmes, Jerry Ferragen, Arlo Rude, Emil Vanyo, Rob Blankenfeld and Bob Stroble. John and John Lovly were on the committee for the Veterans Memorial as well.
John is survived by his two sons, John Jr. (special friend Daria) Olson, James (Athena) Olson. Siblings: William (Julie) Olson, Clarice (Jim, special friend) Olson and Helen (Rory) Anderson. Sister-in-laws: Pam Olson and Sheila Olson, brother-in-law, Bob Hjeldness. Brothers-in-laws and sister-in-laws: David (Gail, special friend) Brazier, Glen (Roxanne) Brazier, Vivian (LeRoy) Omdahl, Tom (Roxanne) Brazier, and Dennis (Terri) Brazier. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins. John also leaves behind his dear friend, Willie, a golden retriever.
John was preceded in death by his wife Delores, his parents, infant son, Patrick, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Walter and Dorothy (Dostal) Brazier, and brothers: Bob Olson and Charlie Olson, sisters: Marlene Hjeldness and Linda Olson.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Prowler Boys and Girls Hockey in Thief River Falls and/or the American Legion Post #117 in Thief River Falls.
John Wayne Olson died at the age of 77 years. May his memory bring comfort to those who knew and loved him.
# John Wayne Olson Sr., #