Ray Oleson

Ray Harris Oleson was born on April 21, 1927, in Storden, Minnesota to the late Oliver and Marjorie (Johnson) Oleson. He was baptized and later confirmed at the Amo Lutheran Church in Storden. He grew up on the Oleson farm and helped with the farm until he went to college. Ray received his education from Storden High School, graduating with the Class of 1944. After high school, Ray attended the University of Minnesota for one year until he enlisted into the Navy during World War II. He was in the Navy from July 24, 1945 until October 31, 1946. On August 21, 1948, Ray was united in marriage to Norma Jean McCullough at the First Lutheran Church in Corpus Christi, Texas. After marriage, Ray attended Morningside College and then transferred to the University of Minnesota and graduated in 1950 with a degree in Accounting and Business Administration. Ray and Norma moved to Rockford, Illinois where Ray worked for Coopers, Lybrand, Ross Brothers and Montgomery as a Certified Public Accountant for 18 years. Their son Brian Ray Oleson was born there in 1954. In 1968, they moved to Mt. Morris, Illinois and Ray worked for Kable News Company as a Vice President/Treasurer until he retire...[more]

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n 1987. When Ray and Norma retired they moved to Vivian, Louisiana and lived there on Caddo Lake where he enjoyed fishing and boating. In 2005, they moved permanently to Hoodsport, Washington. Ray was a member of the Amo Lutheran Church in Storden, Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Rockford, Illinois, First Lutheran Church in Shreveport, Louisiana, and Faith Lutheran Church in Shelton, Washington. In high school he enjoyed playing all sports and was on the baseball, basketball, football, and track teams in Storden. He enjoyed fishing, pheasant hunting, and gardening. He belonged to several professional accounting organizations, and was a President of the Rockford Chapter of the National Association of Cost Accountants. He was always a good natured man and had a warm smile for everyone and was loved by many. The great joys in his life were his family and his work. He loved taking trips and visiting with his relatives all over the country. Ray passed away on Monday morning, March 16, 2009, at the Mason General Hospital in Shelton, Washington after suffering from a heart attack at the age of 81. Ray is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Norma Jean Oleson of Shelton, WA; one son, Brian Ray Oleson, a dentist, and his wife, Alma Jane Oleson, a nurse, of Hoodsport, WA; two grandchildren, Jens Oliver Oleson, 20, studying to be an accountant like his grandpa and Karl Ray Oleson, 17, a high school senior; one brother, Clayton Charles Oleson and his wife, Chalma Oleson, of Spanish Fort, AL; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Betty Jane Elston; and one brother, Warren Oleson who died in 1947. Ray's favorite saying was: "If you are going to do a job do it right or don't do it at all." Blessed be the memory of Ray Harris Oleson.