Holyoke Enterprise,
Holyoke, CO, 27 Mar 1997
HARRY
OLSONHarry John
OLSON of
Holyoke was born September 15, 1932 in
Glidden,
Wisconsin to Albert B. and Lydia M. Kerschner
OLSON. He died March 18, 1997 in
Holyoke.
Harry joined the military at the age of 17. While serving with the U.S. Marine
Corp in Korea, he was wounded, earning a
Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. Between May 27, 1952 and May 21 1954, Corporal
OLSON served as an
Army Ranger. After his honorable discharge from active duty he resided in
Whittier,
California.
He then moved to
Washington where he held the State Archery
Champion title for three years in a row. Harry later moved to Portland,
Oregon where he worked as a building contractor.
In 1971, he met, fell in love with and married
Merna and unselfishly became Dad to John, Clydette and Jerri. In 1972 this newly-made family was blessd with the birth of Clarence John "C.J.". Harry and
Merna moved to
Colorado in 1974 and here they finished raising their children.
Harry spent his life being loved by many. It came naturally to Harry to want to help people - family or otherwise - and never to ask for anything in return. Knowing Harry meant always knowing where you stood with him.
Preceding him in death were his parents, son C.J. and daughter Kathy
Applegate.
Survivors include wife
Merna M. Olson of Holyoke; sons John W. McNabb of
Brush and Dennis
Applegate of California; daughters Clydette
Heberlein of
Sterling, Jerri M. Moore of
Holyoke and Debbie
Applegate of Denver; brother Russell and his wife Jean of Green
Bay, Wisconsin; sister Lorraine Kruse and her husband Elmer of Cameron, Wisconsin; two granddaughters; five grandsons; two aunts; one uncle; numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends.
Services were held Friday March 21 at first United Methodist Church of
Holyoke with Rev. Jack Pedotto officiating. Interment was at Venango Cemetery in Venango, Nebraska with full military honors by
Holyoke veterans.