Alvin Olson

ALVIN OLSON, age 84 of Waseca, died on Monday, June 27, 2016 at his home.

Born in Willow Creek on June 12, 1932, Alvin was the son of Annis and Lilla (Wojahn) Olson.  He attended Willow Creek Country School and Mapleton Schools as a young man.  On April 20, 1951 Alvin married Eleanora Krause in Mankato.  Throughout his life, he was first employed as a Justice of the Peace in Mapleton, later became a patrol officer, and eventually moved into the role of Chief of Police.  Following his time as Chief of Police, Alvin took on the role as Head of Transportation for the Mapleton school district, where he maintained and drove the district’s buses for over twenty years.  At one point the Olson family also operated the Sinclair Gas Station in Mapleton.  From the beginning, Alvin operated a small engine repair shop through which he sold lawn mowers and chain saws.  Alvin enjoyed trap shooting and gun collecting, was awarded a trophy for the best personal collector’s exhibit at the NRA’s 1993-94 convention, and he was integrally involved with the National Rifle Association.  He also served on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Weapons Collectors Association, and was a member of the Owatonna Gun Club.

Alvin is survived by his wife, Eleanora of Waseca; five children, Barry (Marlis) Olson of Janesville, Laurie (Dan) Dienst of St. Paul, Craig (Pam) Olson of Oak Park Heights, Beverly Smith of St. Paul, and Keith (Dawn) Olson of Terry, MT; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and one sister, Helga (John) Kofoed of Mapleton.  He was preceded in death by both of his parents; one sister, Marvel Wieth, and one brother, Norbert Olson.

Visitation will be held from 4-8pm on Thursday, June 30, 2016 at Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services in Waseca, and will continue for one hour before the service at the funeral home on Friday.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM on Friday, July 1, 2016 at Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services in Waseca with Rev. Larry Sipe officiating. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the American Heart Association.

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