A. Dean Olson

A. Dean Olson of Poplar, Wisconsin died Thursday, March 31 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth of complications following surgery. He was 84.

Dean was born in Lynch, Nebraska on July 15, 1926 to parents Jessie and Clarence Olson and was raised in southeastern, South Dakota. At age 17, he enlisted in the U.S Navy and served during World War II. Following his military service, he relocated to Poplar where he helped his parents establish a small dairy farm. Dean married Coralie Hanson on October 15, 1949 and together they raised three children. Dean was employed by Dahlberg Light and Power Co., Solon Springs, and retired in 1990 after 40 years with the company.

Over the years, Dean was active in the Poplar community where he served on the Poplar Village Board, was a volunteer fireman and volunteered as an adult leader with Boy Scout Troop 212. He was active in the Mission Covenant Church, Poplar and enjoyed volunteering his time during early construction phases of the church building.

During his retirement years, Dean enjoyed traveling, completing wood working projects, and tending to his many chores at his lake property and farm. He was also a faithful care-giver to his wife Coralie and tended to her needs until her passing in 2002.

Dean was preceded in death by his wife Coralie, father Clarence Olson, mother Jessie Nelson and step-father Harold Nelson. He is survived by sons Jeff Olson, Spring, Texas, Tom (Deirdre) Olson, Parker, Colorado, and daughter Laurie (Tom) McGrath of Poplar. He is also survived by grandchildren Kristen, Jane, Rachel, Christopher, Kerry, Shaun, Philip, and great-grandchildren Carter and Conner. Dean is also survived by his brother Vernon (Amy) Olson of Austin, Minnesota.

Visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM on Monday, April 4, 2011 in the Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home. Visitation will continue at 1:00 PM until the 2:00 PM Funeral Service on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 in the Mission Covenant Church in Poplar, WI, with Pastor Darrell Nelson, officiating.
Burial will be in Poplar Cemetery.