Olson, Vernon Lester 1917-2006
OLSON, LOFTSGARD, GIERHART, SUMNER, HANSON, LUNDY, BERG, VAN DE PUTTE
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 11/13/2012 at 12:45:14
Vernon L. Olson, age 89, of Decorah, Iowa, died Monday, August 7, 2006 at Green Lea Manor in Mabel, Minnesota.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, August 11, 2006 at First Lutheran Church in Decorah by Rev. H.G. Engebretson. Burial with Full Military Honors will be in Phelps Cemetery in Decorah.
Friends may call from 4:00-7:00 P.M. Thursday, August 10, 2006 at Fjelstul Funeral Home where there will be a V.F.W. Memorial Service at 6:30 P.M. and an hour prior to the services on Friday at the church.
Vernon Lester Olson was born on January 12, 1917 in Luverne, MN, the son of Henry and Mary (Loftsgard) Olson. He was baptized in 1917 in Luverne, MN and confirmed in May 1932 at the Lutheran Church in Clermont, IA. Vernon graduated from Clermont High School with the Class of 1936 and served as the class president. He also attended Luther College for one year on an athletic scholarship.
Vernon was united in marriage with Phyllis H. (Sumner) Gierhart on September 24, 1956 at the Methodist Church Parsonage in Decorah, IA.
Following his year at Luther College, Vernon worked at the Coryell Service Station in Decorah. He entered the U.S. Navy on May 22, 1944. Vernon served in the Pacific Theatre aboard both the NTS Farragut and the USS Yancey as a Seaman First Class. He was honorably discharged on January 16, 1946.
Upon completion of his service, Vernon returned to Decorah to work at the Coryell Station where he served as manager for many years. In 1960, he joined the American Petrofina Oil Company as an auditor. Then, with Mel Putnam, a partner from Madison, WI, he owned and operated seven Fina Stations in Decorah, Waukon, Spring Valley, MN, Viroqua, WI, Boscobel, WI, and two stations in Prairie du Chien, WI. Vernon retired from the American Petrofina Oil Company in 1978.
In August of 1978 Vernon and his wife, Phyllis, moved to Monterrey Park, CA, and managed a big apartment complex of the HUD program. They returned to Decorah in 1980. Vernon then worked as the maintenance man at the Mill Street Apartments for many years, at Usgaard & Smith and also part-time for Eldon Tucker, after retirement.
Vernon liked hunting, fishing and golfing. He was a long-time member of Silvercrest Golf & Country Club and was a former president of the board in 1989. He served on the Decorah City Council from 1992 to 1994 and on the Airport Commission from 1994 to 2001. Vernon was instrumental in the growth of our airport. He attended all the local sporting events in Decorah. He enjoyed playing baseball and softball as well. For many years, he was active in Boy Scouts, served as troop leader and then as a district leader of the Scouts. Vernon was awarded the Silver Beaver Award for his commitment to Scouting. He was an active member at First Lutheran Church in Decorah since joining the church on May 23, 1948. For many years he chaired the committee for counting money and he served on the building committee.
Vernon died on Monday, August 7, 2006 at Green Lea Manor in Mabel, MN, at the age of 89 following a brief illness.
Vernon was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife; four brothers: Harold, Richard, Elmer, and Glenn; three sisters: Myrtle Hanson, Gladys Lundy and Helen Olson in infancy; and his daughter-in-law, Glenda Olson, on March 23, 2000.
He is survived by his wife, Phyllis of Decorah; his five children: Sharon Berg of Apache Junction, AZ, Gary Olson of Cedar Rapids, IA, Clair (Candace) Gierhart of Mayville, WI, Loveta (Charles) van de Putte of Las Vegas, NV, and Kirsten Olson of Decorah; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and one brother, Leonard (Lorraine) Olson of San Gabriel, CA.
Memorials may be given to the Decorah Municipal Airport in Vern’s honor.
Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database
Phelps Cemetery
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen