Duane F. Olson

Duane F. Olson, 96, passed away February 7, 2017 at home. Duane was born October 23, 1920 in St. Cloud, MN to Launie B. and Fred I Olson. His mother passed away when he was eight years old. He was reared by his Aunt Tillieand Uncle Bill on the family dairy farm in Maple Plain, MN, with his cousins, Lucille, Juanita, and Arnold. Duane graduated from Mound High School in 1939 and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He spent four years in the Navy serving on the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid during WWII. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to Minneapolis, where he met and married Joan Snyder on May 8, 1948, Joan passed away February 2002. Duane had two lifetime careers. He worked for Burroughs Corporation as a Field Engineer for thirty years. His territory covered S.E. Minnesota, Northern Iowa and Western Wisconsin. He wasnt ready to retire completely so he drove school bus for the next 32 years, retiring at the young age of 92! He drove for the local bus service and had the same route, route 43 that transported students to and from Rochester Central Lutheran School. Duane was very active in his church. He was a charter member of Community Presbyterian Church, Rochester, and held many different positions within the church. Duane was preceded in death by his wife, Joan; father, Fred; mother, Launie B.; step-mother, Emma and sister, Shirley. Duane is survived by his brother, Rev. Fr. Thomas Olson of Kimball, MN; daughters, Launie J. (Ralph) Smith of Rochester, Susan Annette Olson of Rochester; son, Kevin D. (Susan Marie) Olson of Rochester; three grandsons, Matthew (Jennifer) Olson of Shelton, WA, Jeremy Olson of Cassleberry, FL, Daniel (Tiffaney) Olson of Amarillo, TX and 13 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held 1:00 PM Saturday, February 18, 2017 at Community Presbyterian Church, 3705 55th St., NW, Rochester. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. Private family burial will be at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery with full military honors. Duanes family would like to thank Mayo Hospice especially Maureen, Joan, and Susan and all the behind the scenes professionals and volunteers for their kind and compassionate care of him during his journey, Dr. Yaeger and Dr. Hubbard for their professional care throughout his life. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to either Community Presbyterian Church or Mayo Clinic Hospice. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com