Details

Collection Summary
Collection: FND001 - SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Series: Tribute
Folder: DIG
Item: 26425
Title: Lynn R. Olson
Date: 6/11/1948-1/9/2023
Creator:
Inscription/Marks: 6/11/1948
Summary: Lynn Ray Olson passed away January 9, 2023, in Minot, ND. In keeping with Lynn’s wishes cremation has taken place. A memorial service was held January 17, 2023, at the Beaver Creek Lutheran Church in rural Ray, ND. Pastor Jon Wellumson officiated. Lynn Olson was born June 11, 1948, to Clinton and Lila Olson, in Moorhead, MN, where he spent part of his childhood with siblings, Kathy and Jim. Lynn attended grade school at St. Joseph’s Catholic School until 1961, when his parents moved the family to Fairmount, ND, where he attended Fairmount Public School until he graduated in 1967. Lynn made lifelong friends in Fairmount with whom he never lost touch. Lynn enlisted in the US Army in 1969, voluntarily signing up for Vietnam War efforts, and was honorably discharged in 1971. Lynn found work in construction and met and married Karen Fifer in 1972. The couple moved to Tioga, ND, in 1975, and Lynn found employment with Basin Oil, which he would later purchase in 1982. The couple had three children and raised their family in Tioga. Lynn nurtured and grew his business into a community icon, where patrons would drive the extra distance to enjoy the good old-fashioned treatment of a full-service fuel station. Lynn loved his community and shared his love of softball and country music with his closest friends. He sold his business in 2014, though continued working until 2016, when he retired. Lynn moved to his beloved home near Lake Sakakawea in 2014 to foster his dream of living surrounded by nature. He loved all that nature had to offer, and spent most of his time admiring the beauty around him. He spoke fondly of the wild bunnies, which he fed and cared for, that took up residence both at his home and in his heart. Lynn spent a large portion of his life volunteering for organizations geared toward nature and wild animal preservation, including Pheasants Forever, where he was instrumental in the rehabilitation and releasing of wild pheasants. He also worked with the National Wild Turkey Federation and Ducks Unlimited, since wildlife, wildlife photography, and ornithology were some of his deepest passions. Lynn also enjoyed fishing and hunting, though as he aged, he found more pleasure in shooting with a camera, honoring his love and compassion for animals and nature in a milder way. He loved coming across Native American artifacts and was passionate about learning and supporting indigenous cultures and supported Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary, and St. Labre Indian School, donating and visiting often to support the spirit of their missions. Lynn was dedicated to his family and took pride in making sure his daughters always felt loved and safe. Lynn Ray Olson is survived and will forever be missed by the following daughters, Kristina (Tony) Navarrete, of Issaquah, WA, Laura (James) McGillis, of Tioga, and Jessica Olson, of Dickinson, ND; brother, Jim Olson (Teresa), of Downer, MN; grandson, Jacob Porras, of San Antonio, TX; granddaughter, Laila Fischer, of Tioga; and by relatives, Max Wilhelmi, of Fargo, ND, Briana (Brian) Kautzman, of Fargo, Samantha (Michael) Mulligan, of Grand Forks, ND, and Shirley Carlson, of Dilworth, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clinton and Lila Olson, and sister, Kathy Wilhelmi.
Red ID: FND_I_76938 Image ID: 554974 Image Notes: FND001 26425

Collection: FND001 Digitized Images from Collection
Title: SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Date: -

Summary: The North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program is sponsored by the North Dakota Funeral Directors Association. The life stories of deceased North Dakotans are featured in an archvied collection. Current partners in the project are Eastgate Funeral & Cremation Services, Bismarck Evans Funeral Homes, Carrington and New Rockford Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home, Williston Fulkerson Funeral Home, Tioga Fulkerson Funeral Home, Watford City Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home, Williston Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck Springan Stevenson Funeral Home, Stanley Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson These funeral homes provide recent obituaries to the Foundation, where staff and volunteers format, edit and archive each memorial. The memorials are posted, and copies are sent to the family for their input and approval. The listing currently features more than 13,000 memorials, and is constantly updated as new memorials and histories are received.

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