Gerald Wallace Olson

Gerald Wallace Olson of Menahga, Minnesota died on Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at CHI St. Joseph’s Hospital in Park Rapids at the age of 85. Gerald was born July 31, 1929 in Runeberg Township of Becker County, Minnesota to Carl and Bertha (Peterson) Olson. He attended School District 45 where he graduated from 8th grade. He helped his parents on the farm and his first job was working with his brothers logging and hauling pulpwood. Then he went to Idaho and continued logging with his brother Ernie. He came back to Menahga to help his parents with the farm. Later he worked driving truck in the iron mines in Gilbert, Minnesota. Upon returning to the Menahga area, he drove truck for Carl Anderson and farmed. He was an over the road truck driver for Ed Patson, Polman Transfer and others. He started Olson Trucking Road Building and Maintenance. He sold the business to his son Ben and continued to work with him until he retired. He belonged to the Mid-Minnesota Draft Horse Club of which he was the president for several years. He enjoyed his teams of Belgian draft horses and drove them in many parades and field day demonstrations. He looked forward to the family going out to eat on Wednesday nights and burger night at the Menahga VFW. Gerald will be remembered for his wit and sense of humor. He had friends of all ages and it is rare to talk to anyone that doesn’t have a Gerald story. On October 24, 1951 he married his sweetheart Janette Tomperi. Together they had five children: Geraldine (Sam) Hanschen of Sebeka; Michael (deceased), Brad (Inez) Olson of Mayville, North Dakota, Randy (Deb) Olson of Menahga and Ben (Kathy) Olson of Sebeka. Gerald is survived by his four children and their spouses: 14 grandkids, numerous great- and great-great-grandchildren, his sister Ardelle Erdmann, brother-in-law Jim Kraskey, and many nieces, nephews and other relatives. Gerald was preceded in death by his wife Janette, infant son Michael, his parents, brother: Charles, Edwin, Roy and Ernie, sisters: Arlene and Arloyce. Visitation will be from 5-8 PM on Sunday, October 12, 2014 at Wevley Funeral Home in Sebeka and one hour prior to the service at the church Funeral Services for Gerald will be held 11:00 AM Monday, October 13, 2014 at First English Lutheran Church in Menahga Pastor Steven A. Bruer officiating. Interment will be at Menahga City Cemetery. Pall bearers were Sam Lakey, Kip Crabb, Jarid Olson, Austin Olson, Jake Olson and Mack Olson. Honorary pallbearers were all his grandkids, great-grandkids, great-great-grandkids and all those who called him “Friend.”