The Funeral Service for Vernon “Bill” A. Olson of
Albert Lea
, will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, July 30, 2010 at
West
Freeborn
Lutheran
Church
, rural
Hartland
,
Minnesota
. The Reverend Dennis Frank and Reverend Mark Boorsma. Interment will be in
West
Freeborn
Lutheran
Cemetery
.
Military Honors will be accorded by Albert Lea Veteran’s Organizations. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Thursday at Bonnerup Funeral Service,
Albert Lea
, and one hour before the service at the church.
Bill died on Sunday, July 25, 2010 at the
Albert Lea
Medical
Center
.
He was 94 years of age. He was born on June 16, 1916, in
Manchester Township
,
Minnesota
, the son of Gaylor and Mabel (Thostenson) Olson.
He attended school in District #21 and then began working for Emil Olson. On January 20, 1942 he was united in marriage to Evelyn M. Christenson in
Manchester
.
Three days after he was married he was inducted into the U.S. Army, where he served until August of 1945. A decorated WWII Veteran, Bill was a medic in
Ireland
, North Africa,
Angio
,
Italy
, and
Tunisia
. He was one of the first ones in the Invasion of North Africa where he was wounded in action.
He also was in the First Wave into
Naples
,
Italy
on to the Invasion of Anzio. He received many honors for his dedicated service which included: African-Middle East Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal,
Combat Medical Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, a Purple Heart, three bronze stars, the high honor of a silver star, and a citation for gallantry in action in
Tunisia
.
After his military service Bill and Evelyn made their home in Albert Lea.
Two children were born to this union Gaylin and LaVonne.
He and his brother Walter started a road construction business in Albert Lea.
Due to the physical stress of a war injury, Bill moved on to a new career and he and Evelyn worked in partnership as Tupperware Franchise Distributors for 31 years.
The family business, located in
Jackson
,
Michigan
was called Gay-La Sales. After they retired they had lived in
Mesa
,
Arizona
and
Orlando
,
Florida
before returning to Albert Lea.
Evelyn preceded Bill in death on June 27,
1998. On August 26, 2000, Bill was united in marriage to Joyce Furgeson Erickson in Albert Lea.
They enjoyed traveling together, one of the most memorable trips was being in attendance for the dedication of the WWII Memorial in
Washington
D.C.
Bill was a member of the
West
Freeborn
Lutheran
Church
, where he had been baptized and confirmed. He was a life time member of the American Legion, D.A.V. and the V.F.W.
He was an avid bowler, golfer, and enjoyed hunting and fishing. Bill will be sadly missed by his family: wife Joyce of Albert Lea, son Gaylin
(Jane) Olson , Sheldon, SC,
daughter LaVonne (Tom) Admire,
Jackson, MI, step-children: Joliene (Len) Colby, Champlin, MN, Steve (Laurie) Erickson of Victoria, MN, grandchildren: Travis (Jenny) Olson, Roswell, GA, Christina (Ben) Gecy, Beaufort, SC, Angela (Josh) Densberger, Oviedo, FL, Jeremy (Adrianne) Olson, St. Cloud, FL, Arica (Jon) Stetson, Stewart, FL, Tara Admire, Telluride, CO; step-grandchildren who lovingly called him “Vernie” : Erin (Andrew) Dale, Blaine, MN, Kristin Colby, Champlin, MN, Angela Erickson, Minneapolis, MN, Christopher Erickson, Victoria, MN; seven great grandchildren: Hunter & Alissa Olson, Gracie, Caylin & Blakely Gecy, Teagan Stetson and Josie Densberger; sister Helen Schoen (Rudy Phillips) of Albert Lea, brother Walter “Bud”
(Mona) Olson of Hickman, KY, sister-in-law Cordelia Olson, brother’s-in-law: Bill (LaVonne) Christenson of Albert Lea, MN,
Melvin (Donna) Furgeson of Denver, CO; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Evelyn, brothers: Gerald Olson, Arvil Olson and his wife Inga, Irvin Olson, Wilfred Olson and his wife Ina, Freemont Olson; sisters: Bernice VandanHul and her husband Jack, Irene Johnson and her husband Percy, sister’s-in-law Veniece Olson Madson and Dorothy Olson Waltz.
Bill was a kind and gentle man, always willing to lend a helping hand and put others needs before his own.
He willingly protected us, as he served our country with courage and heroism.
Bill will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by his family and all who knew him.
