Elden Olsen

ELDEN WAYNE OLSEN was born to Harvey and Erma (Kilgore) Olsen on August 1, 1928 in Dale Township, Cottonwood County, Minnesota near Windom where he was raised. On October 10, 1940, he was baptized at The Lutheran Church of Our Savior and confirmed there on April 18, 1943. He attended District 7 NW Country School through the eighth grade and continued his education at Windom High School. After his graduation from high school in 1946, he helped on the family farm. On November 9, 1951, he was united in marriage to Renata Woizeschke at The Lutheran Church of Our Savior in Windom. On November 14, 1951, he was drafted into the US Marines where he was stationed at Quantico, Virginia. After he was discharged on November 3, 1953, he returned to operate the family farm. He was preceded in death by his wife Renata on August 28, 1992. Following her death, he continued to farm and work at Toro Manufacturing until his retirement in 1996. On June 22, 1996, he was united in marriage to Eloise Butman at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Pipestone, Minnesota. Following their marriage, they lived in Pipestone and spent winters in Texas. In June, 2006, they moved into the Ridgeview Apartments. He died there on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at the age of 83 years, eight months and 9 days.

Elden was a member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Pipestone. While living in Windom, he was a member of The Lutheran Church of Our Savior where he served as an elder and was the Sunday School Superintendent. He was a Springfield Sparklers 4-H Club leader and softball coach. In 1958, he received the Minnesota State Swine Producer Award. For 26 years, he served on the Springfield Township Board of Supervisors. He was a member of the Cottonwood County Pork Producers Association. He was also a member of the Herbert K. Kellam American Legion Post #224 of Heron Lake, Minnesota. Elden enjoyed reading, fishing, woodworking, playing cards and dartball. He was an avid Twins fan and attended many high school sporting events and activities. He loved watching and spending time with his grandchildren.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Eloise Olsen of Pipestone; five children, Tim (Martha) Olsen, Luverne, MN, Tom Olsen, New Prague, MN, Tague (Pam) Olsen, San Jose, CA, Kristine (Howard) Christopherson, New Brighton, MN, and Mark (Eileen) Olsen, Eagan, MN; one step-son, Gregg (Dianne) Butman, Pipestone; nine grandchildren, Jessica, Ben, Emily, Rena, Adam, Travis, Nicole, Emma, and Sophia; seven step-grandchildren, Chris, Laurie, Robert, Jacque, Lance, Sherri, and Justin; 12 great-grandchildren; and 11 step great-grandchildren; and one sister, Mavis Rohman of Trimont, MN. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Renata; his parents, Harvey and Erma; and one grandson, Jacob Blue Christopherson.

Memorials may be designated to Ground Works.