Harold Michael OLSON

OLSON, MORRISON, MODEEN, SMITH, MURDY, ELLIOT

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/28/2013 at 12:00:59

January 28, 1937 ---- July 12, 2013

Harold Michael "Ole" Olson, Jr., 76, of Monmouth, died 3:17 a.m. Friday, July 12, 2013, at his home. He was born Jan. 28, 1937, at Minneapolis, Minn., the son of Harold and Dorothy (Morrison) Olson. He was raised and educated in Minneapolis, Minn., where he graduated from Washburn High School in 1955. He graduated from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1959, and received his Masters Degree in education from Wayne State in 1964.

Mike married Barbara Jean Modeen Dec. 29, 1956, at Minneapolis, Minn., and she survives. Mike first coached at the high school level in Postville and Belmond, Iowa. He coached at the college level at Wayne State, Upper Iowa, UNC-Pembroke State, Jamestown College, Dickinson State University and retired from Monmouth College. Mike coached at Monmouth College from 1990 to 2005. He coached no fewer than seven sports before his retirement in 2001, but stayed on as an assistant with the football program another four years. As the Scots' head wrestling coach, his "Operation Pin and Win" in 1997 earned the Fighting Scots their only team conference title in the history of the wrestling program.

He also served the college as the Director of Wellness and was instrumental in beginning the Red Cross Blood Drop Challenge with Knox College, in an effort to raise blood donations for the local Red Cross Chapter. During his 41 year coaching career, Olson produced 61 All-Americans and eight national champions. His ability on the mats resulted in him being inducted into four Halls of Fame. In 1984, Mike was inducted into the NAIA Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame; induction into the Halls at UNC - Pembroke, Jamestown and Upper Iowa followed. He served twice as the Director of the NCAA Division III Great Lakes Wrestling Tournament.

His family includes his wife, Barbara; two daughters, Deb (Chuck) Smith, of Holly Springs, N.C. and Lorrie (Jim) Murdy, of Blaine, Minn.; two sons, James (Linda) Olson, of Savannah, Ga., and Michael (Lisa) Olson, of Grand Rapids, Minn; nine grandchildren; one great grandchild; one sister, Kay (Butch) Elliot, of Minneapolis, Minn.; along with two nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two sisters, Betty and Marjorie.

Cremation has been accorded. A celebration of life and sharing of memories with his family will be from 1 to 3 p.m. July 19 at the family home, 910 East Euclid, in Monmouth. Memorials may be given to the Athletic Department of the College of the donor's choice. Hoover-Hall Memorial Chapel, Monmouth is in charge of arrangements.

Daily Review Atlas --Monmouth, Illinois
July 13, 2013