Ronald Olsen

Ronald 'Sparky' Allen Olsen was born March 24, 1946 in St. James, MN to Tinus and Yvonne (Herrlie) Olsen. He attended St. James High School and graduated in 1964. Ron enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served his country for 13 years. During this time, Ron served in Korea for 10 months and in Vietnam for 12 months as well as other countries. After his honorable discharge Ron held various truck driving jobs including Swenson Trucking for 10 years and also served as a civilian military advisor to Saudi Arabia for 3 years. He was united in marriage to Connie Albertson on November 22, 1985 at East Sveadahl Church in rural St. James and the couple made Lamberton their home. Ron owned and operated Olsen Trucking for many years. Trucking was his passion in life and he was great at it. He was a lifetime member of the St. James American Legion, a lifetime member of the D.A.V., and a lifetime member of the North American Fishing Club. Ron loved doing his crafts at home and the V.A., fishing, watching sports, Nascar races, and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandkids and family. Ronald Olsen died Thursday, February 5, 2015 at the V.A. Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD surrounded by his loving family at the age of 68. Ron will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Connie of Lamberton; daughters- Jody (Blair) Malmgren of Chaska, and Ronnda (David) Luebbers of Graham, WA; son Danny (Italia) Madden of Graham, WA; stepchildren- Jon (Sheri) Trapp of Elkhorn, NE, Jason (Jen) Trapp of Jordan, Lisa Trapp and special friend Christian of Alexandria, and Jared (Amanda) Trapp of Menomonie, WI; 14 grandchildren; brothers- Duane (Carolyn) Olsen of Lincoln, NE, and Richard (Louise) Olsen of St. James; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather Alton Eklund; and brother Andrew Olsen and his wife Jeri. First Visitation 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Friday, February 13, 2015 Sturm Funeral Home, Lamberton Chapel 502 S. Main Lamberton, Minnesota, United States 56152 Second Visitation 9:30 am - 10:30 am Saturday, February 14, 2015 Old Westbrook Lutheran Church 25280 - 368th Ave Westbrook, Minnesota, United States 56183 Service Information 10:30 am Saturday, February 14, 2015 Old Westbrook Lutheran Church 25280 - 368th Ave Westbrook, Minnesota, United States 56183 Interment Information Old Westbrook Lutheran Cemetery 25280 - 368th Ave. Westbrook, Minnesota, United States 56183