Howard Glenn Olson

ORONOCO - Howard G. Olson, 79, died peacefully on Wednesday, August 14, 2013 surrounded by his family at Maple Manor in Rochester. Howard was born in Fosston, Minnesota, on October 27, 1933, to Carl and Alma Olson.After graduating from high school, he set off and found work as a merchant seaman on the Great Lakes until he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1953. He served in the 11th & 82nd Airborne Divisions until 1956.After returning home, he trained as an auto mechanic then found related work in Glacier National Park and the surrounding areas of Montana.In 1965, he moved to Rochester to begin his 28-year career with IBM.During that time he met and married his wife, Marita, and started a family in the countryside near Douglas. Howard was an extremely active, curious, and giving man.When not working at IBM, he was a hobby farmer, backhoe operator, mechanic, and general fix-it man.He avidly volunteered his time and talents helping friends, neighbors, church members, and the community.Howard always took time to learn and teach, especially when supporting 4-H activities. Howard had a lifelong love of horses, and in his retirement he was a member of the Pine Island Saddle Club and enjoyed many trail rides. He was also a member of the Douglas United Methodist Church, the Mechanical History Roundtable, and the Rochester Area Parkinsons Support Group. Howard is survived by his wife, Marita; three children, Mark (Linda Kleinschmidt) Olson, of San Carlos, CA, Grant Olson, of St. Anthony, MN, and Amanda (Brendan) O'Brien, of Chicago, IL; eight grandchildren, Ames Olson, Rhett Olson, and Haley Olson, of St. Anthony, Dominic Olson, Marta Olson, and Quinn Olson, of San Carlos, and Tait O'Brien and Caitlyn O'Brien, of Chicago; a sister, Marion Keifenheim, of Red Lake Falls, MN; and a brother, Lloyd Olson, of Fosston, MN. His parents; two brothers, Clifford and Richard Olson; and a sister, Gladys Odegard, preceded Howard in death. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, August 19, 2013 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home with Rev. Rick Phillips officiating.Visitation will be an hour prior to the service at the funeral home.Burial will take place at the Center Grove Cemetery in Douglas. Memorials can be directed to Mayo Clinic Parkinsons Research, philanthropy.mayoclinic.org/development-donate, and Glacier Park Foundation, www.glacierparkfoundation.org.