Obituary of Roland Clifford Olson

Roland "Bud" Olson, 91, of Wright passed away peacefully on January 4, 2021 in his home with his loving family by his side. He was born March 11, 1929 in Duluth to Clifford and Esther Olson. At a young age his family moved to Tamarack. Bud grew up living on the family farm. He was active with 4H. He met his future wife, Joan Dorman, on Finn Road, and they grew up as teenage neighbors. They were married after high school on September 1, 1951 in Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Wright. They moved to Minneapolis for more work opportunities and to raise their family of six. They were married almost 60 years prior to Joan's death on June 15, 2011. Bud and Joan had many friends and a wonderful family in the Brooklyn Park area. They never had a lot of fun money, but always took the family on camping trips including to the Black Hills, SD, and driving out to New York state to spend time with Joan's brother, Dennis, and his family. They also bought 80 acres of family land near Wright and built a wonderful cabin and sauna with the help of family. Many wonderful times were spent there. After Joan retired in 1989 they were excited to move back to the country. They planned a wonderful retirement home all on one floor to build on the family land. Bud and family actually cut the lumber themselves to build the house. The family and his friend, Bob Pearson, built the home. Quite an accomplishment. Their retirement years were happy. Bud, a Jack of all Trades, was busy around the home, in his wood workshop, in the woods and with their large vegetable garden. He was an avid maple sapper in the spring. He was always helping neighbors and friends, never saying no to lending a helping hand, including fixing many sewing machines. He was active in the Wright Seniors group, Lakeside Community Club, Bethany and Bethlehem Churches, quilting at the church and delivering the finished quilts, and volunteering at the Domiano Center in Duluth among other things as they came up. One of the things we are proud of besides building their cabin and home was helping to build the new Bethany Lutheran Church in Cromwell. He and his sister, Margaret Webster, spent hours making the six bas-relief bible scenes that adorn the sanctuary walls. He also built the sunburst wooden artwork with the descending dove located at the front of the church. In Bud's later years, after his wife passed away, he spent a time being lost and lonely. His daughter, Judy, made the decision to move to Wright to help at home and keep him company. We are grateful for her doing that for three years. Judy Olson returned to the cities with a serious health issue and about that same time, a local lady, Judy Rosicky, sat next to him in church as he looked pretty lonely. They became fast friends and companions. In December of 2015 Bud and Judy joined forces at his Wright home. They loved drives, long conversations and many good laughs. As dad slowly began to physically fail in later years, Judy has stepped up to be his caregiver. Family -- mostly daughter, Jeanine, and family -- have been up to help on weekends, and Judy took care of his physical needs. In the end, dad's body just started giving out and now his work here on Earth is done. As his favorite, Tennessee Ernie Fords sings, "Now my work in Heaven has begun." The motto he lived by was another Tennessee Ernie Ford favorite "Others, let this my motto be; help me to live for others, so I may live like thee." Rest in Peace, Dad. Bud was preceded in death by his wife, Joan; sister, Elaine Anstett; brother, William "Bill"; and his grandson, Brian Holte. He is survived by Judy Rosicky - his close friend and companion in later years and her family; sister, Margaret Webster; children, Janet (Jim) Hubred of Sturgeon Lake, Jeanine (Jim) Dallin of Maple Grove, Jeff (Lee Ellen) Olson of Sturgeon Lake, Judy Olson of Anoka, Jay (Penny) Olson of Monticello, and Jenny (Kathy) Olson-Noren of Crystal; grandchildren, Erik and Bradley Hubred; Ted, Nathan, Matthew, and Darin Dallin; Eric "Chico" Hattenberger, Jodi Nummela, Will and Travis Holte, Autumn Olson and their spouses; great grandchildren, Alex Johnson; Danny, Clyde and Lincoln Hubred; Alan, Alex, Chase, Jade, Ethan, Josh, Finley and Josiah Dallin, Stephanie Valero Bautista, Hazel and Ava Hattenberger, Lauren Pederson, and Austin and Walker Nummela; as well as many nieces and nephews. Public visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 9, 2021 in Bethany Lutheran Church in Cromwell. A private family funeral service will follow at 1:00 p.m. Masks and social distancing are required. Burial will be in the spring in Wright Public Cemetery in Wright. Memorial contributions may be made to Bethany Lutheran Church in Cromwell or the Wright Senior Center. Arrangements entrusted to Atkins Northland Funeral Home, Cloquet. To sign the guest book and offer an online tribute, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com