Willard "Bill" D. Olson

Olson, Willard Delmer (Bill), age 87 of City of Columbus (Forest Lake), MN, passed away in peace and with grace on November 9, 2016. Preceded in death by wife Verna (Strandberg) Olson, brother John and sister in-law Shirley, brother Arlie, sister Joyce Martinson and brother in-law Robert, brother in-law Ted Mabry, brother in-law Ernest Berget and sister in-law Dagmar (Strandberg) Berget, brother in-law Delmer Strandberg and sister in-law Ruby, nephew Al Berget and his wife JoAnne Berget, nephew, Bob Nielsen and most recently Michael Dotzler, and Deb Backstrom. Survived by daughter LeeAnn Weigt (Dale), son Jon (Judy), grandchildren Tara Olson Medina (Daniel), Kyle Olson, Lisa Olson, and great grandson Henry Louis Medina, brother Dale (Gloria), sister Avis Mabry, and sister in-law Marie Olson, numerous nieces and nephews and their families, and many friends. Born January 4, 1929 to John and Alyce (Johnson) Olson, Bill and his five siblings grew up in Balsam Lake, Wisconsin where his knowledge of farming and passion for fishing began. He graduated from Balsam Lake High School after an interruption in his education to serve his country. In 1946 Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he worked as a Ship Fitter 3rd and 2nd Class on the submarine ship tender U.S. S. Howard W. Gilmore AS16. He was discharged in the rank of Seaman First Class, a veteran of World War II. Shortly after his return to Wisconsin, he met Verna Marie Strandberg. The couple was married August 22, 1953. Bill worked as a trailer mechanic for Fruehauf Trailer Company in St. Paul. In 1954 he and brother John decided to call on their experience working with their father in the plumbing and sewer business and Olsons Sewer Service was up and running. Soon after, the company truck was christened with the signature pink paint and motto Keep your sewer in the pink! Brother Dale worked with Bill for twenty-seven years in the business which continues to serve the Metro area. An entrepreneur and advocate for the onsite sewage treatment industry, Bill played a front line role in advancing the industry as a member of the Minnesota Individual Sewage Treatment System Advisory Committee, charter member of the Minnesota Onsite Sewage Treatment Contractors Association, honored as a Minnesota Onsite Wastewater Association Lifetime Member. Bill and Verna were fortunate to spend many rewarding years with their grandchildren traveling and spending time at the family cabin. Bill was an avid hunter and fisherman and a woodworking craftsman. He enjoyed collecting and restoring John Deere tractors, a member of the Almelund Threshing Club, an active member of Pheasants Forever and the Forest Lake Sportsmens Club. Bills commitment to the community and veterans was ever-present. In 2010, he was presented with an honorary FFA Chapter Degree for his work in the Voice of Democracy, presented the 2010-2011 FLHS Wrestling Fan of the Year plaque, and was 2011 Grand Marshall of the Forest Lake Fourth of July parade. Bill served multiple terms as Commander of VFW Post 4210 and continued to support and honor veterans with his color guard duty, ritual representation, and pulling the VFW float with a John Deere tractor for a number of years. The family extends gratitude to the entire care team at Birchwood Health Care Center, Minnesota Heart Center, and Fairview Health Services. Visitation to be held Monday, November 14, 4-8PM at Roberts Family Life Celebration Home, 555 SW Centennial Dr., Forest Lake. A Celebration of Bills life will be held Tuesday, November 15, 11AM at Faith Lutheran Church, 886 N Shore Dr., Forest Lake, with visitation one hour prior. Private interment at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred.