Robert G. Olson

Robert G. Olson of Middle River, MN passed away peacefully on Thursday morning, September 21, 2017 at the Thief River Care Center in Thief River Falls, MN, with his loving family at his side at the age of 87. Funeral services to celebrate Robert’s life will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 30, 2017 at New Hope Lutheran Church in Newfolden, MN with Pastor Ollie Urdahl officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Friday, September 29, 2017 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service on Saturday at New Hope Lutheran Church. Robert Glenn Olson was born on April 22, 1930 in East Valley Township, Marshall County, MN to Carl and Glenna (Beerbower) Olson. He was baptized in the Lutheran faith. Robert grew up on his parents farm in Ringbo, northeast of Holt. He attended school through 8th grade at the rural Ringbo School. During his childhood he and his sister, Ardie, helped with the farm work by driving teams of horses in the hay fields, raising sheep and dairy cattle. During WWII, he and his sister, Ardie, drove a bundle team of horses together in the grain fields during thrashing season on three different farms. In 1943, Robert, his sisters and parents, moved to Hastings, Nebraska to work in the Naval Ammunitions Depot where they loaded 40mm shells for the Navy. After the war, they returned to the farm and started farming again, now using modern tractors and equipment. As a young adult, he continued to run and operate the family farm and working for other farmers. In the spring of 1957, he met Shirley Ann Skyberg and they were united in marriage on May 3, 1957 in Greenbush, MN. The couple took over the family farm and made it their home. They were blessed with six children, Robbin, Orrin, Susan, Ross, Bryan, and Kristie. They continued to raise dairy cattle, sheep and farmed small grain. He also worked at Agassiz Wildlife Refuge, and Land O’ Lakes/ Northern Pride. Robert served on the Ringbo and New Hope Church Council. He was a District Director for Red Lake Electric Cooperative, RLF, MN for 32 years. Robert liked visiting and listening to country and gospel music, attending threshing bees, going to car shows, woodworking, collecting Matchbox cars, hunting and fishing. In his 20’s, he sang in a Quartet and performed locally. Robert is survived by his children: Orrin Olson, Thief River Falls, MN; Susan (Mark) Lee, Plummer, MN; Ross Olson, Perham, MN; Bryan Olson, Middle River, MN; Kristie Olson, East Grand Forks, MN; grandchildren: Andy Tabor, Thief River Falls, MN, Kayse (Zachary) Maass, Owatonna, MN, Jami (Tanner) Nunn, Crookston, MN, Sheena Lee, Fairbault, MN, Courtney Lee, Mankato, MN, Chelsey (fiancé, Dan Lepper) Olson, Perham, MN, Brandon Olson, Minneapolis, MN, Cierra Olson, Perham, MN, Lisa, Harley, and Eva Olson, Middle River, MN and Jackson Olson, EGF, MN; great-grandchildren: Chastity Tabor, Talon Nunn, and Thea Nunn: brother-in-law Kenny Peterson, Nisswa, MN; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Olson; infant daughter, Robbin Jean Olson; parents, Carl and Glenna Olson; sisters, Ardith Olson and Maxine Peterson; brother, Glenn Olson, daughter-in-law, Vickie Olson. Robert G. Olson passed away peacefully with his family at his side on September 21, 2017 at the Thief River Care Center, Thief River Falls, MN at the age of 87 years, 4 months, 30 days.