Clarence Olson

Clarence W. Olson, 87, a resident of Underwood, died Thursday, February 19, 2009 at Lake Region Hospital in Fergus Falls. He was born September 5, 1921, in Underwood, Minnesota, the son of Edward and Lena (Bjornstad) Olson. He grew up in Underwood, attending country school District #231. After completing eighth grade, he stayed home to help on the family farm due to his father’s illness. In 1944 he married Gwendolyn Westman in Dalton. To this union seven children were born: Richard, Ruby, Donna, David, Carol, Glenn and Roger. Gwendolyn died in June of 1983. The family farmed, raising beef cattle and dairy farming. He also worked at Park Region Telephone Company, and then at Northwestern Bell, putting in the first dial phones in the Underwood area. He drove school bus for the Underwood school district for 21 years and served on the School Board.  On June 30, 1984, he married Shirlee (Knutson) Bergquist at the Nazarene Church in Fergus Falls, and added Shirlee’s four children Cindi, Mike, Beth and Paul to the family. Clarence was a member at Calvary Free Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls and over the years he served as a deacon, trustee and on various committees. His faith in Jesus Christ was an important part of his life. Clarence especially loved spending time with his family. Friends and neighbors looked forward to receiving his special sweet corn every summer. Clarence loved the outdoors as an avid fisherman, hunter and trapper. He enjoyed woodworking and could fix anything. In later years, bird watching from the comforts of his living room became an entertaining pastime activity. Preceding him in death were his parents; his first wife, Gwendolyn; two children, Ruby and Glenn; a stepson-in-law, Keith Gilmore; and two step grandchildren, Mark and Howie Wienbar. Survivors include his wife, Shirlee of Underwood; five children: Richard (Sharon) Olson of Roseville, CA, Donna Amundson and David (Gale) Olson all of Minneapolis, Carol (Jerry Weidner) Rostad of Brooklyn Park, and Roger and Margene Olson of Perham; 11 grandchildren: Jeff Heibel, Jason (Cari) Heibel, Michael Amundson, Michelle (Brandon) Buckingham, Rick Olson, Blair Olson, Lance (Heather) Rostad, David (April) Olson, Kristen Olson, Kari (Steve) Honer, and Joel (Rhonda) Olson; 15 great-grandchildren: Ryan and Jakob, Jace and Carson, Zachary, Lily and Lincoln, Katie, Lars and Liv, Brandon and Jack, Elijah and Isaac and Leah; a son-in-law, John Heibel of Plymouth; a sister, Stella Olson of Minneapolis; four stepchildren: Paul (Karen) Bergquist of Ames, IA, Mike (Patty) Bergquist of Foxhome, MN, Cindi (Dale) Andel of Moorhead, and Beth (Lowell) Hought of Olathe, KS; 15 stepgrandchildren: Pattie (Jeff) Ouren, Debbie Wienbar, Brittnay Walker, Karly and Abby Bergquist, Kari (Tim) Marquart, Holly, Heidi, Katie and David Bergquist, Ryan and Tyler (Katrina) Andel and Chris (Kristen) Gilmore, Nate, Alyssa and Kory Gilmore, Matthew (Michelle) and Libby Hought; and two step great-grandchildren: Hunter and Hadley Marquart. Also surviving are numerous extended family members. Visitation:  1-3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home with a 2:30 p.m. prayer service and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church Service:  1 p.m. Monday at Calvary Free Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls Clergy: Reverend Jim Johnson Interment:Bethlehem Cemetery in Fergus Falls Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com