Clarence A. Olson

Clarence (Ole) Olson of Moorhead, MN was born November 18,1935 on the family farm near Makoti, ND to Leonard and Eugenie (Ness) Olson. The family moved to Minot, ND when Clarence was 3 years old. He graduated from Minot High School.

In 1956 he joined the US Air Force where he worked as an instrument technician on aircraft. His first assignment was typewriter technician in Alaska. From there he was transferred to Goodfellow in San Angelo, TX.

After 4 years of service, he spent 11 years in Odessa, TX where he worked for Nelsons. He was trained by several companies on the east coast enabling him to service numerous types of machines. He moved to San Angelo where he worked for Office Printing before opening his own business, Office Systems.

While living in TX, he met and married his first wife, Barbara Coleman, and adopted her two daughters, Shawn and Vicki. That union brought a son, Gary. Sadly, both Shawn and Gary died in separate accidents.

He married Linda (Lindsey) who just a few years later died following surgery. Her close friend Carolyn (Carlson) became his last wife. They were blessed with daughter, Cari Lynn. They moved to Moorhead, MN in 1982, where he started working for Steffens but once again decided to open his own business.

Clarence had two passions that kept him busy: planes and woodworking. He spent many hours for over 20 years volunteering to restore aircraft at the Fargo Air Museum, mostly on the BT-13. He flew with the MN Wing of the Commemorative Air Force and trained as a flight mechanic on the B-25 bomber. His favorite wood crafting was making children’s toys, especially rocking horses. There are 14 spread around the USA.

As an active member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, he served many years as a trustee, until health issues stopped him.

He is survived by wife, Carolyn, daughters Vicki (Tom) Clemens and Cari (Christopher) Orth, sister Bonnie (Kevan) Moore several grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews who will all miss this amazing man.

Preceding him in death were his parents, 2 children, and siblings Roy, Genevieve (Earl) Stewart, Linda (Mike) McEown and nephew Mike Olson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to the Fargo Air Museum, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and the Harwood National Cemetery Building Fund.

Visitation: Thursday, August 7, from 5:00 - 7:00 PM, with prayer service at 6:30 PM, in Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Moorhead, MN.

Funeral: Friday, August 8, at 10:00 AM, in Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Moorhead, MN.

Graveside Service with Honors: Friday, August 8, at 1:00 PM, at Fargo National Cemetery, Harwood, ND.

Video tribute and online guestbook at www.wrightfuneral.com