Chuck Olson

Joseph Charles "Chuck" Olson, age 72 of Verndale, MN, died February 5, 2005 at Georgetown, TX. He was born May 6, 1932 in Fargo, ND to Joseph Christopher and Tillie Marie Olson and raised at Leonard, ND. After graduation from Leonard High School, he attended The University of North Dakota. He graduated with a BS degree in Chemical Engineering. He enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed at Wright Patterson AFB as an intelligence officer to the commander. After his discharge, he worked as a chemical engineer for Pratt and Whitney Aircraft in Connecticut. He returned to Minnesota, earned a MS degree in Ag. Economics from the University of Minnesota and worked as a food process engineer for Rahr Malting Company and Pillsbury. He was united in marriage to Cecile Cole on July 26, 1958 in the St. Hubert's Catholic Church in Blue Grass. Chuck always enjoyed farming having been raised on a dairy farm. In 1965, he moved his family to Verndale and started raising potatoes. The family business grew and became Olson's Stowe Prairie Potato Packaging Plant. During that time he served on the Minnesota Potato Council, the Board of Directors for Todd-Wadena Electric Cooperative and as an advisor to Staples Irrigation Farm. In 1979, he sold his business and became part of the Renewable Energy Research Project at North Dakota State University where he earned his MS degree in Ag. Engineering. He later semi-retired to Verndale where he raised edible beans and started organic farming. He enjoyed traveling, especially to his ancestral home in Norway. He was a member of the Sons of Norway and vice-president of the Ottertail Lakes Property Owners Association. He also enjoyed music, singing in the church choir at the different parishes he belonged to over the years and with the Staples Men's Chorus for a time. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Cele and his children Annette (Mark) Riestenberg of Perham, MN, Robert Olson of Phoenix, AZ, Elise Olson of Moorhead, MN and Cathy (Li) Olson-Wang of Georgetown, TX. He loved and enjoyed spending time with his eight grandchildren Joseph, Erica, Jennifer, Andrew, Mary, Julia, Scott and Hana. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Aldon Robert Olson. A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, February 10, 2005 at the St. Frederick's Catholic Church in Verndale with Father Mike Kellogg presiding. The Christian Mothers Rosary service will be held at 6:00 PM and the Parish Prayers at 6:30 PM on Wednesday evening at the Johnson Memorial Home in Wadena. Friends may call at the Johnson Memorial Home in Wadena on Wednesday from 4:00 until 8:00 PM and at the church on Thursday from 9:30 AM until the time of services. Palbearers are Joe Olson, John Olson, Art Riestenberg, Jim Haahr, David Meyer and Gary Kneisl. View this Videotribute

Chuck Olson

May 6, 1932 - February 5, 2005