Gordon "Gordy" M. Olson

Gordon “Gordy” M. Olson, 75 year old resident of Upsala, MN passed away Thursday, September 12, 2013 at his home in Upsala after a nine month battle with lung cancer. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, September 19, 2013 at Community Covenant Church in Upsala, MN with Rev. Craig Johnson & Pastor Nathan Hillman officiating. Burial will be at the Community Covenant Cemetery in Upsala, MN. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 PM on Wednesday at the Community Covenant Church in Upsala, MN and one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church. Gordon M. Olson was born on June 24th, 1938 in Monticello, Minnesota to the late Ervin and Eunice Olson. He was raised on a farm in Becker, MN. and attended a one room school house being the only one in his grade for 5 years. Gordon was a star basketball player in high school with the nick name "Goose", he graduated from Becker High School in 1957. Following graduation Gordon attended St. Cloud State for one year and then went to Dunwoody Institute for 2 years studying carpentry. He was known for his superb carpentry skills. On a hunting trip at the age of 26, he was shot and left for dead. By God's grace he survived and many times said, "Every day was a bonus after that". He was a master turkey hunter and designed and made his own turkey calls, with one being mass produced. Gordon enjoyed carpentry work his entire life, yet the job he enjoyed most was working at Camp Lebanon for 13 years before retiring in 2008. He was dedicated to loving his family and was a long time member of the Little Falls Gideons. He loved southern gospel music, camping, hunting, and being in the woods. Though he had many passions in life, his greatest passion was for the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Joan Olson of 33 years; children, Sherry (Pete) McDonald, Pam (Bruce) Gassman, Darrin (Mary Glans) Olson, Rebecah (Dan) Martin, Rachel Olson, Bonnie (Chris) Cunningham, Sherri (Jay) Patzer, and Steve Young; grandchildren, Chris, Zachary, Sarah, Ben, Rachel, Hannah, Brittany, Dylan, Nikki, Blake, Jacob, Erik, Savanna, Kayla, Kelly and Steve; sister, Sharon Myers; brother, Norman Olson; and several nieces and a nephew. Gordy was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Darlene. Honorary Pallbearers will be Ken Crommet, Ken Olson, Mike Schultz and Tad Brown. Pallbearers will be Vernon Florell, Vance Florell, Steve Olson, Bob Kretlow, Gary Eggert and Phil Gerth

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Gordon "Gordy" M. Olson

June 24, 1938 - September 12, 2013