Ervin Olson
November 4, 1921 — October 1, 2014
Ervin Julius Olson was born on November 4, 1921 to Julius and Mary (Elstad) Olson in Madison, MN. He was baptized in Dawson, MN and was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Montevideo. After attending school in Montevideo, Ervin held various construction positions until he joined the Army in 1942 where he served in the US and England during World War II. After his discharge from the Army in 1946, he worked briefly in California before coming back to Minnesota where he met the love of his life. Erv was united in marriage to Ardis Sillman on February 2, 1948 in Kenedy, Texas and to this union three children were born. After their return to Montevideo, Ervin became a Postal Carrier in 1949 where he worked until he retired from the US Post Office in 1979. After retiring he worked construction for Weckwerth Construction Company for 10 years and Funk Seeds, Inc as a Salesman/Warehouse Manager for 5 years. During those years Ervin’s interests also included square dancing, camping, fishing, boating, teaching his children to water ski and enjoying life.
In 1967 he realized one of his dreams and bought a Hobby Farm north of Montevideo. That farm was his “little bit of heaven on earth”. The farm included 4 outbuildings which he managed to fill up with his treasures and inventions. He was so resourceful with his hands and mind that he kept himself busy with the cows, small acreage of crops, engines he built, creating a surround sound in the house before surround sound was even popular so he could listen to his music in every room in the house. Erv was also interested in cars and trucks which he kept in tip top shape. He was supportive and helpful to Ardy with the hundreds of flowers she had every year and found ways to maintain those flowers a little bit easier with his creative solutions for watering.
Erv and Ardy took a few trips over the years, to Colorado and Texas a few times and to Germany to visit Gary in 1978, 2 trips to Hawaii – once to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary and once to celebrate their 50th.
They moved back into town from the farm in 2006 and he continued to work on improvements at the house in town, building a back porch for Ardy to use for her flower planting.
Erv was a member of the American Legion and VFW. He was also a very active member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, holding a position on the Board, Treasurer, Treasurer of the Building Fund and Custodian for 7 years.
Ervin is lovingly remembered by his wife of 66 years, Ardis Olson of Montevideo; children, Sandy Killian of Montevideo and Bonnie (Alan) of Hastings, MN; 6 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; siblings Donald (Wanda) Olson of Ocean Pines, MD and Mary Nelson of Woodbury, MN; many sister and brother in laws and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son, Gary; Mother, Mary Bakke; Father, Julius Olson; Brothers Harvey and John; and sister Margaret.
In 1967 he realized one of his dreams and bought a Hobby Farm north of Montevideo. That farm was his “little bit of heaven on earth”. The farm included 4 outbuildings which he managed to fill up with his treasures and inventions. He was so resourceful with his hands and mind that he kept himself busy with the cows, small acreage of crops, engines he built, creating a surround sound in the house before surround sound was even popular so he could listen to his music in every room in the house. Erv was also interested in cars and trucks which he kept in tip top shape. He was supportive and helpful to Ardy with the hundreds of flowers she had every year and found ways to maintain those flowers a little bit easier with his creative solutions for watering.
Erv and Ardy took a few trips over the years, to Colorado and Texas a few times and to Germany to visit Gary in 1978, 2 trips to Hawaii – once to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary and once to celebrate their 50th.
They moved back into town from the farm in 2006 and he continued to work on improvements at the house in town, building a back porch for Ardy to use for her flower planting.
Erv was a member of the American Legion and VFW. He was also a very active member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, holding a position on the Board, Treasurer, Treasurer of the Building Fund and Custodian for 7 years.
Ervin is lovingly remembered by his wife of 66 years, Ardis Olson of Montevideo; children, Sandy Killian of Montevideo and Bonnie (Alan) of Hastings, MN; 6 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; siblings Donald (Wanda) Olson of Ocean Pines, MD and Mary Nelson of Woodbury, MN; many sister and brother in laws and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son, Gary; Mother, Mary Bakke; Father, Julius Olson; Brothers Harvey and John; and sister Margaret.
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