Obituary of Paul Olson

Paul David Olson was born March 19, 1928 in Montevideo, MN, the youngest child of Hilmar and Alma Olson. They had a large, close extended family where Paul learned the value of working hard and trusting in God. He graduated from Montevideo High School in 1946. He then joined the U. S. Army where he served as a medic. While deployed on board an Army transport ship in the Atlantic, Paul was informed that he had been accepted to attend the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He graduated from the Academy and was commissioned as an ensign in the U. S. Navy in June of 1951. On July 27, 1954, Paul married the love of his life, Elizabeth Jill Christianson. Together they were companions and best friends, sharing a deep, tender, committed love for just short of 50 years. They raised 5 daughters in a home filled with love, faith, song, and lots of humor. Paul studied Civil Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, and later received his MBA from George Washington University in Washington, DC. He excelled throughout his naval career, serving at many duty stations around the United States. Paul retired from the Navy in June 1978 having attained the rank of Captain. He then worked for the Washington Public Power Supply System in Richland, Washington and Olympia, Washington. Paul was a team player, a true professional, and was always loved and respected by his co-workers. Paul lived a life of deep faith, always looking for opportunities to serve and reach out with kindness to those around him. He was a life-long member of the Lutheran Church where he sang in the choir for over 60 years. He also served on many committees and had a great passion for building community relationships in his local church. Paul enjoyed reading and learning. He was always sharing books and resources with others. He was a man of integrity, generosity, and extraordinary hospitality of the heart. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and a genuine friend and neighbor to many. In recent years, Paul struggled with health issues. He was hospitalized with a severe illness in January 2008. He made a valiant effort to recover, but ultimately, his lungs failed him, and on May 12, 2008, Paul passed into eternal life surrounded by the prayers and love of his family. Paul was preceded in death by his loving wife Jill. He is survived by 5 daughters: Heidi Lynn Gieske (Allen) of Lindstrom, MN; Elizabeth (Betsy) Carole Gilbert (Keith) of St. Paul, MN; Sara Kristen Elmstrand (Rodney) of North Branch, MN; Kirsten Ruth Wees (Joel) of Olympia, WA; and Kari Noel Olson Hall (Christopher) of Boston, MA. Survivors also include his 20 grandchildren; his two sisters: LeNore Olson (Paul) and Carol Kittelson-Hill; two sisters-in-law: June Olson and Markey Moe; brother-in-law Leo Borgendale, and many other cherished relatives and friends.