1927
Neal
2015
Neal Olson
February 11, 1927 — July 24, 2015
Neal Arden Olson spent his boyhood on his parents’ dairy farm west of Little Falls, Minnesota, and his future life was a calling to serve in the ministry. After graduating from high school he attended St. Olaf College and Luther Seminary to begin life as a Lutheran pastor. Neal was born in Little Falls February 11, 1927 to Marion Johnson and Otto Olson. Neal died on July 24, 2015 in Alexandria surrounded by a circle of love.
Words in Philippians tell us that whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, commendable, and worthy of praise should be thought about and lived. All who knew and loved Neal could see how this guided his whole life.
Neal and Dorothy Gilbertson were married on August 5, 1950, and they spent 63 years together before her death in 2013. They served churches in Dunbar, IA, Becker, Clarissa, Maynard, Lowry and Alexandria, MN, living for the last 20 years on Lake Carlos. Neal also pursued many passions: photography, building furniture, choral music, collecting stamps, traveling, reading and fishing. Always giving his time, he volunteered as a fireman in Lowry, a mentor in the Alexandria Literacy Project, a visitation pastor, and much more throughout his life. A husband, dad, grandfather, friend, and pastor, we remember Neal as a man who lived what he believed with quiet strength and acceptance of all and good humor.
The most important part of Neal’s life was his family—his dear wife Dorothy, Becky Olson of Fridley MN, Dan Olson and Ron McClellen of Iowa City IA, Naomi and Bart Stroupe and Will of Seattle WA, and Sharon Olson and Dana Cosler of Duluth. Neal and Dorothy’s daughter Judith Lynn died in infancy.
In honor of Neal’s commitment to others, memorials may be made to the Alexandria Literacy Project or Habitat for Humanity. Services will be held at Bethesda Lutheran Church on Monday, July 27, 2015 at 11 am. Burial will be at the Carlos Prairie Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Anderson Funeral Home on Sunday, July 26, 5-7 pm.
Words in Philippians tell us that whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, commendable, and worthy of praise should be thought about and lived. All who knew and loved Neal could see how this guided his whole life.
Neal and Dorothy Gilbertson were married on August 5, 1950, and they spent 63 years together before her death in 2013. They served churches in Dunbar, IA, Becker, Clarissa, Maynard, Lowry and Alexandria, MN, living for the last 20 years on Lake Carlos. Neal also pursued many passions: photography, building furniture, choral music, collecting stamps, traveling, reading and fishing. Always giving his time, he volunteered as a fireman in Lowry, a mentor in the Alexandria Literacy Project, a visitation pastor, and much more throughout his life. A husband, dad, grandfather, friend, and pastor, we remember Neal as a man who lived what he believed with quiet strength and acceptance of all and good humor.
The most important part of Neal’s life was his family—his dear wife Dorothy, Becky Olson of Fridley MN, Dan Olson and Ron McClellen of Iowa City IA, Naomi and Bart Stroupe and Will of Seattle WA, and Sharon Olson and Dana Cosler of Duluth. Neal and Dorothy’s daughter Judith Lynn died in infancy.
In honor of Neal’s commitment to others, memorials may be made to the Alexandria Literacy Project or Habitat for Humanity. Services will be held at Bethesda Lutheran Church on Monday, July 27, 2015 at 11 am. Burial will be at the Carlos Prairie Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Anderson Funeral Home on Sunday, July 26, 5-7 pm.
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