1931
Curtis
2007
Curtis Olson
December 10, 1931 — June 29, 2007
Curt was born December 10, 1931 to Anna and Oscar Olson in East Grand Forks, Minnesota. He was a 1949 graduate of Central High School of East Grand Forks and in 1952 he married his sweetheart, Marian, daughter of Leonard and Gertrude Driscoll.
After serving in the Air Force during the Korean War, Curt and Marian remained in East Grand Forks. Curt attended the University of North Dakota at the same time that he and Marian were raising 4 small children. He graduated in 1959 and worked as a mathematics and shop teacher in Oslo, Minnesota.
Curt had a desire to work in the growing computer field so he applied for a job with Univac. After being turned down because his background in math wasn?t strong enough, Curt once again enrolled at the University of North Dakota and in one semester took the math courses that were needed for a degree in electrical engineering. This great determination convinced Univac to hire him and the Olson family soon moved to Shoreview, Minnesota.
The Olson family eventually moved to Cottage Grove where they were founding members of the newly formed St. Rita?s Catholic Church. Curt became a lector for which he received many compliments over the years that he served the parish.
Curt continued to work with Univac until his determination led him to realize another dream, that of starting his own hardware business. In 1978 he opened Olson?s Ace Hardware in Woodbury and together with Marian and his youngest son Eric, they built a respected and successful business before eventually retiring to Green Valley, Arizona.
During his retirement years, Curt battled lung disease and it was during this time that he gave us all a great example. Instead of complaining about the disease that was taking his strength he constantly reminded everyone around him of how much God had blessed his life and his family.
Curt is survived by Marian, his beloved wife of 55 years, his six children, Tim (Jane) ), LeAnne (Bob) Huntrods, Kristi (Myron) Allen, Eric (Christine), Marci (Aron) Anderson, and Erin (Todd) Gregory, 19 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and two sisters, Gert Martin and Enid (Glenn)
Offerdahl. He was preceded in death by granddaughter, Lydia Anderson; great-grandson Seth Marchand; parents; six brothers; and one sister.
Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers to The Pillars Hospice.
After serving in the Air Force during the Korean War, Curt and Marian remained in East Grand Forks. Curt attended the University of North Dakota at the same time that he and Marian were raising 4 small children. He graduated in 1959 and worked as a mathematics and shop teacher in Oslo, Minnesota.
Curt had a desire to work in the growing computer field so he applied for a job with Univac. After being turned down because his background in math wasn?t strong enough, Curt once again enrolled at the University of North Dakota and in one semester took the math courses that were needed for a degree in electrical engineering. This great determination convinced Univac to hire him and the Olson family soon moved to Shoreview, Minnesota.
The Olson family eventually moved to Cottage Grove where they were founding members of the newly formed St. Rita?s Catholic Church. Curt became a lector for which he received many compliments over the years that he served the parish.
Curt continued to work with Univac until his determination led him to realize another dream, that of starting his own hardware business. In 1978 he opened Olson?s Ace Hardware in Woodbury and together with Marian and his youngest son Eric, they built a respected and successful business before eventually retiring to Green Valley, Arizona.
During his retirement years, Curt battled lung disease and it was during this time that he gave us all a great example. Instead of complaining about the disease that was taking his strength he constantly reminded everyone around him of how much God had blessed his life and his family.
Curt is survived by Marian, his beloved wife of 55 years, his six children, Tim (Jane) ), LeAnne (Bob) Huntrods, Kristi (Myron) Allen, Eric (Christine), Marci (Aron) Anderson, and Erin (Todd) Gregory, 19 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and two sisters, Gert Martin and Enid (Glenn)
Offerdahl. He was preceded in death by granddaughter, Lydia Anderson; great-grandson Seth Marchand; parents; six brothers; and one sister.
Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers to The Pillars Hospice.
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