Published in the Pine City Pioneer, Pine City, MN Nov. 5, 2009

Charles Olson, 77, of Rock Creek died on Oct. 24, 2009 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital.

Chuck grew up with a love for horses and traded a calf for his first gray horse at age 11. The horse turned out to be blind. He learned a big lesson about buying horses at a young age. At 13 he left home with friends to go to South Dakota and work on a ranch.

Chuck joined the army in 1952 and got married shortly thereafter. He was shipped to Fairbanks, Alaska for the military and decided right then that he was gong to work for himself. Chuck had three children; Dennis, Greg and Nancy.

He purchased the family farm in 1959. When the kids were young, Chuck decided to create an incentive for the boys to work on the farm. He arranged for them to have their own animals and milk checks. They felt “rich” and decided that the farm was all right.

Chuck was very popular while driving the candy truck throughout East Central Minnesota. Just a few weeks ago someone came up to him and asked if he was the Chuck that used to deliver candy.

Chuck married Elaine in 1976; she had four children, Linda, Butch, Patti and Mike so they had a large blended family. Chuck and Elaine had nearly 30 wonderful years together, traveling and enjoying their children and grandchildren.

Chuck loved his horses and enjoyed trading horses, always saying that he was cutting back as he bought several more. He had two favorite dogs and a horse that were all named Blu.

Chuck had friends all over Minnesota and North and South Dakota. He had something in common with everyone and enjoyed having coffee and a cookie with friends.

He is survived by his children; Dennis Olson of Stacy, Greg (Melissa) Olson of Rush City; Nancy Swanson of Stacy, Linda Gorton of Los Angeles, CA Butch (Marya) Willert of Rush City, Patti (Tony) Anderson of Rush City and Mike (Wendy) Whittaker) Willert of Pine City; siblings; Dale (Gladys) Olson of Cambridge, LaDez Pangerl of Pine City, Ron (Jan) Olson of Livingston, Texas, Cliff (Ruth Merriman) Olson of Rock Creek; sister-in-law Sharon Olson of Rock Creek; 22 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Chuck is preceded in death by his wife, Elaine; parents, William and Jennie (Dahlstrom) Olson; brothers, Kenneth Olson and Harold Olson; sister-sin-law, Shirley Olson, Arlene Olson and Delores Olson; and brother-in-law, Bernard Pangerl. Chuck will be sorely missed by his family and friends.

Rev. John Beck officiated at funeral services on Wed. Oct. 28 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Rush City. Music was provided by granddaughters Randi Olson and Brittany Best and organist Dianne Kirchberg. Randi and Brittany sang “When I Get to Where I am going” accompanied by a CD and “The Old Rugged Cross: acapella. Honorary casket bearers included grandsons Brandon Whittaker, Shay Willert and Jedaiah Olson. Active casket bearers included grandsons Tchevy Olson, Jack Olson, Gavin Olson, Joshua Anderson, Joel Benolken, Christopher Benolken, Dustin Willert and Corey Willert with the interment in the St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery next to his wife Elaine. Military honors were provided by the Heath Perkins American Legion Post 51 of Pine City.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Funeral and Cremation Service- Olson Chapel of Rush City.