Orris Olson

Orris Olson, 86, of Wendell, died Wednesday, March 14, 2012, at the MN Veterans Home in Fergus Falls. Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00 am Saturday, March 17, 2012, St. Gall's Catholic Church, Tintah Clergy: Fr. Ron Schmelzer Burial: St. Gall's Catholic Cemetery, Tintah Visitation: St. Gall's Catholic Church Friday evening from 5-7 pm, followed by a prayer service at 7 pm; visitation will resume at the church one hour before the Mass. Orris Eugene Olson was born March 31, 1925, to Nels and Louise (Moe) Olson, the youngest of six children. He attended elementary school in Wendell, two years of high school in Elbow Lake, and completed his education at the West Central School of Agriculture in Morris. He worked as a farm laborer for area farmers until 1944, when he enlisted in the US Army and served during WWII. Orris was honorably discharged in November, 1946. He returned to Wendell and started farming. In 1948, he took over the operations of his dad's Standard Oil bulk business for the next ten years. On September 28, 1950, Orris was united in marriage to Eleanor Keller at St. Gall's Catholic Church in Tintah. The couple made their home above the barber shop on the main street in Wendell where two of their ten children were born. In 1953, they moved a house in from the country onto a lot in Wendell. In 1959, Orris sold the gas truck and house in Wendell and purchased a home on 400 acres southwest of Wendell. In the fall of 1968, Orris was offered the position of Assistant Manager of the Osborne-McMillan Elevator (now known as the Wendell Farmers Elevator). He accepted the offer, and they sold the farm and moved back to Wendell, now living in his parents' home. He retired in 1979. Orris is survived by his wife Eleanor of Wendell; children Judy Christopherson, Don (Vickie) Olson, Patty Hanson, Randy (Shelly) Olson, JoAnn (Joe) Felland, Keith Olson, Bob (Tracy) Olson, Gary (Joan) Olson, and Tami (James) Olson; 34 grandchildren, and 37 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Nels and Louise Olson, siblings Lawrence, Roy, Verner, Hazel, and Rosella; one son, Billy; one grandson, Jaron Olson; and son-in-law Craig Christopherson.

Funeral Home: Erickson-Smith Funeral Home - Elbow Lake 116 1st Street NE Elbow Lake, MN US 56531

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Previous Events

Visitation
Friday, March 16, 2012
Service
Saturday, March 17, 2012
cemetery
Saturday, March 17, 2012