Donovan Olson

Donovan Nathaniel Olson was born January 14, 1922 in Pelican Lake Township, MN, the son of Henry and Rosella (Sorenson) Olson. Donovan attended school in Ashby, MN and Elbow Lake, MN, graduating from Elbow Lake in 1940. Donovan began a long career in the banking industry. In 1940 he began work at the bank in Ashby. In 1945 Donovan was inducted into the United States Navy. He served in the Pacific on the USS Sumner and at Guam. Following his honorable discharge from the armed forces in 1946 he returned to banking in St. Clair, MN, Williams, MN, and Breckenridge, MN. In 1955, Donovan purchased the State Bank of Wendell, MN where he served his community for the next thirty-five years. On December 12, 1958 Donovan was united in marriage to Rosalie Erickson at Nora Lutheran Church near Kensington, MN. The couple made their home in Wendell. Donovan was active in banking organizations and served as president of the Minnesota Bankers Association. He was active in the Wendell American Legion Post. Donovan enjoyed hunting waterfowl and upland birds. As a young man he also enjoyed trapping. On Saturday, September 14, 2013 Donovan died at the age of ninety-one years. One brother, Harvey Olson, preceded him in death. Donovan is survived by his wife, Rosalie Olson of Wendell; son, Bryan Olson of Wendell; daughter, Deanne Novotny and husband, Larry, of Alexandria; stepson, Bruce Strom and wife, Roberta, of Kensington; five grandchildren, Tawnya Stepaniak, Lindsey Oeltjenbruns, Alan Strom, Brynn Novotny and Toby Novotny; and two sisters, Ruth Woessner and husband, Richard, of Elbow Lake, MN and Phyllis Hickman of Boulder City, NV. A funeral service will be held 10:30 AM Friday, September 20, 2013 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Wendell. Reverend Dr. Eugene Boe will officiate. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Casket bearers include Richard Woessner, Paul Aasness, Charlie Woessner, Toby Novotny, Joshua Lott and Marcy Porter. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.