Olson, John K. 1858 - 1939

OLSON, LARSON, REIRSON, WOLD, KOLAND

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 9/1/2023 at 01:11:20

Clayton County Register, 29 Nov. 1939.

St. Olaf: John K. Olson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Knute Olson, was born Feb. 14, 1858, on a farm in Clayton County. It was here that he spent his early childhood with his parents.

On April 25, 1888, he was united in marriage with Johanna K. Larson of McGregor, who preceded her husband in death on Sept. 27, 1937. To this union were born two children, Stella Mae, who died in infancy, and Herbert, who now resides in Decorah. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Ole, and two sisters, Mrs. Reir Reirson and Mrs. Ole Wold.

After his marriage, he settled in St. Olaf, where he conducted a hardware business for a time. His venture in this world then turned to the boot and shoe business, along with a post office. After a term in this business he entered the livestock buying trade, for which he spent about 25 years of his life, after which time he spent the remainder of his life in retirement.

He was a very faithful member of the Norway choir, of which much enjoyment in this life was received from his efforts therein. He was a member of the Lutheran church from childhood on.

About one o'clock on the morning of Nov. 23, 1939, he was called by his Maker, having been ill but a few days. He passed away at the age of 81 years, nine months and nine days.

He leaves to mourn his departure, his son Herbert, and daughter-in-law Bertha, two grandchildren, Homer and Nordine, all of Decorah; one brother, Olavus, of West Union; two sisters, Mrs. Belle Koland of Clermont, and Mrs. Helen Olson of West Union, besides a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held Sunday at the Norway Lutheran church with Rev. S. J. Strandjord officiating. Interment was made in the Norway cemetery.