Ronald Olson

Ronald Larry Olson was born on January 29, 1946 at Mt. Lake, MN, the son of Selvin and Violet (Lenning) Olson. Ron graduated from Butterfield-Odin High School in 1964. Shortly after high school he joined the Air Force, serving until 1968 and was honorably discharged at the rank of SGT. Ron returned to Butterfield and went to work as a bulk milk driver for Land O Lakes out of Mt. Lake and later Hodgman Construction of Fairmont. He had also worked for several other trucking companies over the years. He married Gloria Konz on Dec. 3, 1966, she passed away on Dec. 7, 1968. On April 5, 1971, Ron married Kathy Schulte the couple had a daughter Tanya Jo Olson on August 5, 1974, the couple divorced in 1976. On November 5, 1985, Ron married Beverly (BJ) Miller the couple made their home in Butterfield until her death on Oct. 21, 2009. Ron continued to live in Butterfield. He was the Commander of VFW Post 9607 in Butterfield, member of the VFW Funeral Honor Guard in Butterfield, Lifetime member of DAV, member of American Legion Post 33 in St. James, very active in the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon committee and a very strong advocate for veterans. After BJ's death, Daisy (her dog) became Ron's sidekick going everywhere with him, it broke his heart to have to put her down in May. Ron enjoyed bingo with BJ and continued to play at the Eagles and Legion in St. James. He loved to fish, you could usually find him in his fish house in the winter or in the boat on Kansas Lake in the summer. Ron also enjoyed attending sprint car races and watching NASCAR on TV. Ron loved his grandsons, he attended many of their football games, basketball games and baseball games over the years. He was so proud of them. He was a wonderful grandpa. Ron is survived by his daughter Tanya (Kevin) Jones of St. James, grandchildren Christopher Joseph Jones, Parker Michael Jones, Hayden Allen Jones, Gage Tavin Jones, Griffin Lin Jones all of St. James, brother Roger Olson of Odin, sister Mary Ann (Charles) Heffele of Butterfield, brothers-in-law Wally Potter and Kenny Miller, step-children Julie (Julio) Rodriguez of St. James, James Adams of Florida, Jeff (Geri) Adams of Willmar, 7 step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 wives Gloria Konz Olson in 1968, Beverly (BJ) Miller Olson in 2009, sister Ardyce Potter and a step-grandson Josh Adams and his in-laws, Merle and Margy Miller. Visitation 1 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm Monday, July 20, 2015 Sturm Funeral Home, St. James Chapel 906 - 10th Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Visitation 2 10:00 am - 11:00 am Tuesday, July 21, 2015 Zion Lutheran Church-Odin 201 N County RD 19 Odin, Minnesota, United States 56160 Service Information 11:00 am Tuesday, July 21, 2015 Zion Lutheran Church-Odin 201 N County RD 19 Odin, Minnesota, United States 56160 Interment Information Zion Lutheran Cemetery -Odin West of Odin Odin, Minnesota, United States 56160 Military Honors to be provided by the VFW Post 9607 of Butterfield. Fellowship to follow Everyone is invited back to the church for lunch and fellowship after services at the cemetery.