Olson, Bernard Duane -- 1946 - 1999

OSMUNDSON, OLSON, BARLOON, NESHEIM, BAKKEN

Posted By: IA GenWeb Volunteer
Date: 6/16/2010 at 11:19:57

Decorah Public Opinion, Tuesday, July 20, 1999.

Bernard Olson

Bernard "Bernie" Duane Olson, 53, of Decorah, died Thursday, July 15, 1999, at home after a courageous battle with bone cancer.

Funeral services were held Monday, July 19, at 2 p.m., at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Decorah, with the Rev. Joan Mau officiating the services.

Michael Elsbernd was the organist. The congregation sang "On Eagle's Wings," "O Happy Day" and "Borning Cry."

Casket bearers were Tim Sollien, Jake Ludeking, Greg Nelson, Forrest Folkedahl, Alan Thorson and Steve Thorson. Honorary bearers included all his friends.

Burial was at the Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah. The Fjelstul Funeral Home handled arrangements.

Bernard Duane Olson was born Jan. 1, 1946, in Decorah, the son of Melvin and Jaerdis (Osmundson) Olson. He was baptized at the First Lutheran Church in Decorah and confirmed at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Decorah.

While in high school, Bernard worked in a work study program shining shoes inside George Krumm's barber shop in downtown Decorah. With the money he earned, he was able to purchase his first motorcycle.

He graduated from Thomas Roberts High School in 1966. He then attended a vocational school in Charles City, after which he became employed at the Midland Gas Station in Decorah.

On Sept. 25, 1971, Bernard was united in marriage with Joanne Barloon at St. John's Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson.

From November of 1972 until July of 1973, he was employed at Winnebago in Forest City. In July of 1973, Bernard began a job at Deco Products in Decorah. He worked there until his retirement in 1998, due to his cancer.

Bernard had a variety of hobbies which included motorcycles, shooting pool, bowling, golfing, watching football and going to the races at the Nordic Speedway. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.

Survivors include his mother and step-father, Jaerdis and Norwin "Bud" Nesheim; his former wife, Joanne Olson of Fort Atkinson; one daughter and one son, Paula (Alan) Bakken of Calmar, and Bernard Olson, Jr. of Fort Atkinson.

Also surviving is one brother, John (Kim) Olson of Colorado Springs, Colo.; three granddaughters, Kayla Bakken, Shaina Bakken and Ariel Olson; two nieces and two nephews; as well as many uncles and aunts.

Bernard Olson was preceded in death by his father, Melvin Olson, in 1990; his brother, Matthew Olson, in 1975; his sister-in-law, Connie Olson, in 1988; and his paternal and maternal grandparents.

Transcribed by an IA GenWeb Volunteer from obituaries found in the Howard-Winneshiek Genealogy Society Library, Cresco, Iowa.