Rev. Bernard OLSON

OLSON, HAGUE, ROE, HUTSON, GILBERT, DOWNS, CLARK, ERICKSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/17/2007 at 11:58:47

Spring Valley Tribune, MN
February 12, 2005

Rev. Bernard "Bernie" Olson, Spring Valley native

The Rev. Bernard "Bernie" Olson, 91, a Spring Valley native, died Friday, Feb. 4, 2005, in his residency at the Elizabeth Martin Nursing Center, Cedar Falls, Iowa. He was born Nov. 1, 1913, at the home of his parents, Charles and Laura (Hague) Olson in Spring Valley. He graduated from Hamline University, St. Paul, in 1936 and Garrett Theological Seminary, Evanston, Ill., in 1940. He was ordained as an elder and served as a Methodist minister for over 65 years. His pastorates included Mabel/Prosper, Cortland, Ill., and the following churches in Iowa: Elma/Deerfield, Clarksville, Rudd, West Branch/Springdale, Kenwood Park Church in Cedar Rapids, Eagle Grove, Independence, and Britt. After retirement in 1980, he served as the visitation pastor at Clear Lake. He was a member of the Upper Iowa United Methodist Church Conference, member of the Conference's Board of Pensions, Methodist Church Division of Camps, Temperance Board and participated in a pulpit exchange. He volunteered in the various communities and was a member of the Lions Club and Rotary Club.

He is survived by his wife, June (Roe) Olson; two daughters, Jeannine Hutson of Arizona and Geraldine Gilbert of Cedar Falls; four grandchildren, Craig Downs and Karen Downs, of Arizona, Tom Gilbert, Cedar Falls, and Rob Gilbert of California, two great-grandsons, Brandon and Jordan Downs of Arizona; one brother, Delmer (Ora) Olson, one sister, Marjorie (George) Clark, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceding him in death were two sisters, Elna Olson and Nelda (Carl Faye) Erickson, and one grandson, Brian Downs.

Celebration of his life services will take place at the United Methodist Church in Clear Lake, Iowa, today (Wednesday) at noon with the Rev. Jan Burnett officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church. Internment will follow the service at the Clear Lake Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are requested to go to the American Heart Association, the National Diabetes Foundation, the Spring Valley Historical Society in Spring Valley, or the Knorr Lodge at Bell Harbor, Clear Lake. Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, is in charge of the arrangements.