Rolf Olsen

“With tact and true concern for all parties affected” is how a longtime school board member described the work and character of former Onamia principal and superintendent Rolf G. Olsen. Mr. Olsen died on January 19, 2010, leaving behind a legacy of education with integrity and compassion. Rolf Olsen was born August 25, 1908 in Morris, Minnesota, the son of Rev. Engel and Gunda (Lund) Olsen. In 1919 the family moved to Colfax, Wisconsin where Rolf graduated from high school. He then moved on to Luther College in Decorah, Iowa to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1930. at Luther he enjoyed a distinguished career as a singer and was asked to return after graduation to sing with a special ensemble that performed in the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, Utah. He began teaching in Dallas, Wisconsin and soon became the supervising principal at nearby Prairie Farm. There he became reacquainted with high school classmate Borghild “Buggs” Fjelsted, and they were married on December 30, 1937. The couple lived in Prairie Farm until 1942 when Rolf joined the Red Cross to become a field director, working in Illinois, Texas, and Wisconsin. In 1945 he became an unemployment compensation examiner for the state of Wisconsin, but education was his true calling, so he moved to Minnesota, answering the call to be principal of Onamia High School. He served as principal until 1962, in the meantime earning the Master’s Degree in School Administration from the University of Minnesota. In 1962 he became superintendent of the Onamia School District. He semi-retired in 1970 to attend summer institutes that led to his introducing to the curriculum and teaching two innovative courses in Native American History and Environmental Studies. He also served as an administrative consultant at this time. In 1973 Mr. Olsen joined American Guidance Publishing Company and traveled throughout the Midwest and west consulting with educators and promoting appropriate educational materials. Always the true educator, Mr. Olsen experienced changes from a rural, one-teacher, single-school-building that housed grades one-through-twelve to modern consolidated schools that employed many teachers specializing in a variety of disciplines. Through it all, Rolf Olsen focused on what he called “sound fundamentals that helped our graduates as they went into the world of work or higher education.” Throughout his career in Onamia, Mr. Olsen was active in civic and church responsibilities. He served on the city council for many years, including the formative years for the Onamia Hospital for which he was part of a core group of imaginative proponents. Rolf and his wife were strong supporters both financially and spiritually of what he thought was “the finest small-town hospital and staff in the country.” Mr. Olsen was also instrumental in building the new Bethany Lutheran Church where he sang in the choir, occasionally taught Sunday School, and served on the church council for many years. In addition to his leadership roles, he was not shy about “painting a wall or pounding a nail or two.” Rolf Olsen remained a resident of Onamia for the rest of his life. He was grateful to the community for support and love, and he was proud of his work as an educator, always giving the credit to the students.” If I were to list the success of those who were once students at our schools,” he once said, “the list would be a long one, I’m sure.” “He ran a smooth ship,” said a former board member, “and his first love was getting to know the kids.” Rolf Olsen is survived by his son, Paul Olsen of Bettendorf, IA; grandsons, David Olsen of Los Angeles, CA and Eric Olsen also of Los Angeles, CA. He was preceded in death by his wife, Borghild Olsen; son, David Olsen; four sisters; and two brothers.

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Rolf Olsen

August 25, 1908 - January 19, 2010