In Memory of Charles H. Olson
Charles H. Olson, age 71, of Isanti passed away April 18, 2008 at his home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, April 22 at West Bethel United Methodist Church in East Bethel with Rev. Jim McChesney officiating. A visitation will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 P.M. on Monday, April 21 at Strike Funeral Home – Isanti Chapel. Interment will be in Isanti Union Cemetery.
Charles Hugo Olson was born to Hugo and Norella Olson on Feb, 12, 1937 at International Falls, MN. Charles was a graduate of Falls High and he attended the U of MN in Duluth. Charles enjoyed a variety of working experiences – began his career at M & O paper “pulp landing” and wet end. Working also as a butcher, acid bath processor, clothes pole fabrication/installer, retail grocery, furniture restoration/refinishing, international cargo preparation/shipping before retiring in 2000 from A & M/Omni building commercial furniture.
Charles enjoyed working in his garden, pole barn/custom workshop and “working” on his 1941 Ford 9N tractor. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife Coni to Australia, Fuji, Canada, Hawaii, a commercial barge trip the length of the Mississippi, also checking out local festivals in the Midwest. He loved his roll as “Daddy Daycare” to two generations; annual deer hunts with son David; road trips with daughters Debbie and Jandi by car and rail; planning this year’s garden with daughter Kaisa; sharing the beginning and end of every summer at Breezy Point with family and friends.
He had been an active volunteer participating in Boy Scouts, DNR Advanced gun safety/survival, member of MUI, ham radio/CB and Jaycees. Charles was President of the Fridley/Columbia Heights Kiwanis Club. Charles was awarded the Hixson Fellowship and Outstanding District Faculty Advisor. The high points were the years he interacted with the exceptional students of the Fridley/Columbia Heights Key Club.
Charles passed away at his home in Isanti on April 18, 2008.
He is survived by his wife, Constance “Coni” Gunnufson-Olson; mother Marvis Olson; son David (Teri) Olson; daughters Debbie Bell (Joel), Kaisa Crom, Allejandra Casson (Mike); granddaughters, Samantha Olson, Kassidy Crom, Haile Casson; sister, Patsy Breitkreutz (Marvin); and brother in law, Julius Gunnufson (Charlotte). He will also be missed by many loving nieces and nephews, special friend Marlene Beck and members of Fridley/Columbia Heights Kiwanis Club and Key Clubs.
The Olson family extends their sincerest thanks for the loving care the staffs of Cambridge Short Stay and Unity Hospital 2 West gave to Charles and his family during his journey with Cancer.
All Memorials will be given in Charles name to his favorite charities and scholarship fund.
It was comforting to hear that Charlie had his 3 Angels with him when he passed.
We are so so sorry we didn’t make it back to Isanti in time to see him one more time.
However, I suspect as I’m trying to decide what to do with my gardens this spring, there will be a ‘little voice’ in the back of my head, sounding a lot like Charlie, asking me “Why don’t you do it this way?”
Charlie’s Gardens always did look better than ours!
Tony will miss having him around as a ‘ready resource’ for advice and consultation on how to approach various projects, and also will miss seeing what new projects Charlie was working on.
Take Care all of you, and know that although it is sad for us, and he will be missed, he is at peace.
Love, Linda & Tony