Obituary of Reynold Olson

Reynold Carl Olson entered this life on June 13, 1914. He was the first child of Andrew and Alida Olson. Six years later brother Lawrence arrived. Sister Doris and brothers Gordon and Leonard completed the family. Reynold attended grades 1-8 at a country school about a 2 mile walk from his home. It was a long trek for a little guy in northern Minnesota's cold winters. By the age of 9, Reynold was able to handle a team of horses and was a reliable helper on his father's farm. He learned to drive his Uncle David's car at age 13 and later acquired his own Model A Ford. Reynold always appreciated his Swedish heritage. He didn't learn to speak English until he started school as church services and interaction with neighbors and family were always in Swedish. Music and humor were hallmarks of his home and the words and lyrics of Swedish hymns, as well as witty sayings learned in those early years, stayed with him his entire life. Much to his amusement, Reynold's fluent command of the language enabled him to be mistaken as a Stromsund native on a trip to Sweden with his brother Leonard in 1986. In 1935, the arrival of the Albert Anderson family from Canada created quite a stir in the village of Karlstad. Reynold soon had his eye on the eldest daughter Blanche. Reynold and Blanche were married in 1937 and together they farmed in the Karlstad area until 1963 when they moved to Cambridge MN. Reynold had supplemented his farm income by serving as school janitor in Karlstad and thus had the experience and required licenses to be the first custodian at the newly constructed Grandview Christian Home in Cambridge. The facility, currently named GracePointe Crossing, ended up being his final residence. In 1990, Reynold married Elaine Wicklund. They had many happy years together participating in church and family events, visiting with friends, and pop-up camping with both family and the Christian Campers group. They especially enjoyed the 8 winters spent "snowbirding" in Florida. During these years, Reynold honed his woodworking skills and sold many of his creations - particularly wooden shelves - at Craft Fairs. On February 20, 2014 at age 99, Reynold was ushered into the presence of God where he continues to sing praises…presumably in Swedish….to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was preceded in death by his son Merle at age 4, his first wife Blanche in 1985 and her siblings Mildred Olson, Evelyn (Bill) Wayne, Hildred (Mervin) Skadsem, James Anderson and Curtiss Anderson. Reynold's brother Gordon and brothers-in-law Luverne Gjovik and Alvin Erickson also preceded him in death. Although thrilled that Reynold is with the Savior he loved, family will greatly miss the loss of our spiritual patriarch. Several of his character qualities will be forever cherished; Reynold had a keen SENSE OF HUMOR: The Bible says, "A merry heart doeth good like medicine" and Reynold loved both giving and receiving a generous dose of anything humorous. He was adept at sharing a good joke or making one smile with an off-the-cuff one-liner. A favorite memory is the Olson siblings gathered around telling Ole & Lena stories or passing on their latest jokes. Reynold exemplified LIVING FOR GOD WHILE SERVING OTHERS. Like Enoch of old, Reynold "walked with God". Throughout the ups and downs of life, Reynold always displayed a steadfast trust in God. He lived out his faith in service to God through his church in various capacities, as a helping hand to neighbors and friends, by opening his home to numerous extended family members who needed a home, in godly fathering, and in loving care for Blanche and later Elaine. Reynold was a MAN OF PRAYER: The Bible states, "The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." Reynold's daily prayer for his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and Elaine's family is, without a doubt, the attribute we'll miss the most. Our hearts were always deeply touched, when even in his final years, his personal connection to the One to whom he prayed was so readily apparent. Reynold's heartfelt prayer for all his survivors would be that you seek to know Jesus personally and that you live for Him, walk with Him and trust in Him always.