"I only briefly met you one evening in 4-405. I enjoyed meeting & speaking with you and seeing all of the Norwegian flags hanging in his room. After reading about him here, I see how wonderful he must have been. My first visit to the Festival of Trees 2 years ago is highlighted, not exactly by the trees, but the coolest wood carved elf home/lodge (sorry the exact title escapes me)... Beautiful. He must have had something to do with that. What a gift. I know he is comfortable, enjoying this new & very different journey. Anita, RN (waiting to see Norway, someday)"
In loving memory of
DeLos Conrad Olson
November 3, 1935 - December 28, 2011
DeLos Conrad Olson, 76, of Rochester, died Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at Rochester Methodist Hospital surrounded by his loving wife, son, and daughter.DeLos was born to Alvin and Ingeborg (Raffelson) Olson November 3, 1935; they had eight children.He was raised in Chippewa and Swift Counties in Minnesota where he attended one room rural schools.When the farm work was done, DeLos worked as a carpenter for E.S.Hildahl in Montevideo, Minnesota for five years.
DeLos moved to Rochester in 1956, where he worked as a carpenter.He graduated from Rochester Junior College in 1963.He began work for the City of Rochester in 1966.He was the Collection System Supervisor at the time of his retirement in 1996, from the Public Works Department.He was a board member of the Minnesota section of Central States Water Environment Federation and was a member of the MPCA Collection System Training committee.
DeLos joined the Minnesota Army National Guard in 1953 A Battery of 175th Field Artillery Battalion in Montevideo.In 1958 he transferred to an Infantry unit, followed by a transfer to a medical unit in 1977.He attended military schools at Fort Carson, Colorado; Fort Riley, Kansas; Fort Benning, Georgia; and Fort Greeley, Alaska.He completed Academy of Health Sciences US Army, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.DeLos is a graduate of US Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in 1975.DeLos served in the Minnesota Army National Guard for 26 years and attained the rank of Major at the time of his retirement.One highlight of his military service was his work with the Norwegian Home Guard in their winter training in Minnesota.His fluent Norwegian conversation led to him being sought out by many of the officers and troops.
DeLos married Frances Karen McCutcheon in Rochester in 1967.He and Karen have one son Bjorn (he and his wife, Michelle, have two sons) and a daughter Kirstin (she and husband, Todd, have two sons).
DeLos is a member of Bethel Lutheran Church and served on various committees and the church council.He was active in the scouting program, served on the Cub Scout Pack committee, was a Webelos Leader, an Assistant Scout Master, and a Scout Master.DeLos served as Sons of Norway Lodge President and held various other positions since 1972 when he became a member of Kristiania, 1-47.He is a member of Nordlandslaget, Hadeland Lag, American Legion, life member of Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, Rochester Senior Citizen Services, and Rochester Woodcarvers club.
When he retired he took up wood carving.Norwegian style Acanthus wood carving was his favorite.DeLos enjoyed making things for his children and grandchildren and then added some decorative carving designs as well.
He is survived by his wife Karen: son Bjorn (Michelle and grandsons Logan and Connor) of Oronoco, MN: daughter Kirstin Moerike (Todd and grandsons Shea and Keegan) of Lenexa, KS: Brothers Donald, David, Kenneth, Byron and Sister Solveig VanOverbeke.He was preceded in death by his parents: an infant sister Carol: and Brother Duane.
Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at Bethel Lutheran Church, 810 - 3rd Ave SE.Visitation will from 5:00 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 3 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the church. Inurnment will be in Oakwood Cemetery at a later date.
Memorials are suggested to Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum in Decorah, Iowa.
Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place NW, Rochester, MN55901 (507) 289-3600 www.ranfranzandvinefh.com
Tributes
"We were very saddenen to read of Delos'' passing away in th e Willmar paper. I will always remember my dad being os proud of him and trearing him as a son. Mom and dad always looked forward to visiting with you when ecer they were they were in Rodchester. In fact I have a picture of Rodchester that Delos gave my mom and dad. I remember how Carol and I wanted that Delos to be a pallbear for dad but Delos was unable to but came up for the family service before "
"KAREN AND FAMILY, WE WERE VERY SORRY TO READ OF DELOS' PASSING AWAY IN THE WILLMAR LPWILLMAR PAPER. HE WAS A VERY SPECIAL PERSON. MY DAD THOUTHOUGHT THE WORLD OF HIM AND PROUD TO HAVE HIM AS PART OF HIS BUSINESS. I REMEMBER WE WANTED HIM AS A PALLBEAR FOR DAD BUT HE WAS UNABLE TO BUT DROVE UP FOR THE FAMILY SERVICE. yOU ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. nANCY sEUBERT "
"Will miss Delos so much. Always our favorite friend at the Stevnes. Gave us plenty of laughs and great fun."
"Dear Karen, As neighbors to Bill and Roxanne Cook, we have met you and want to express our Sincere Sympathy on the passing of DeLos. Keep your memories close to your heart and know that we care. With Sympathy"
"Dear Karen, Bjorn and Kirstin, Dale and I were saddened to hear of Delos'''' passing. Norlands kept us informed on his illness. Dale has been telling me about their adventures in the Guards from 67-72, especially that winter camping at Ripley when it hit record lows in MN. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. Ann and Dale"
"Hi, I am Eugene Hildahl's daughter, and I very much remember DeLos when he was working for my Dad. I remember his quick smile, and he always enjoyed teasing my sister and I if he had a chance. I know my Dad was very fond of DeLos. He was like a son to him. Of course it helped that they shared Norwegian heritage and Norwegian interests! As I read DeLos's obituary and how he was involved in the Sons of Norway, Norwegian wood carving, etc., I could just see my Dad smiling! He knew a good Norwegian when he met one! I was very sorry to read of DeLos's death in the Willmar paper. I am wondering what shorten this wonderful man's life. It sounds like he made the most of his life here on earth and touched many people's lives---including my family many years ago. My sincere condolences to you. I can picture DeLos and my Dad reuniting in heaven and talking about construction days and probably in the Norwegian language! Sincerely, Carol Hildahl Grau"
"Dear Family of Delos It is with sadness that we received notification of the death of Delos. We had the pleasure of having a visit from him in Hadeland a few times. We were impressed by his knowledge of Hadeland and his perfect Hadeland dialect. We also met once in Northfield. We had been looking forward to meeting him several times. We have many good memories and wishes peace upon his memory. Marianne and Ragnar Grina (From Hadeland)"
"Our thoughts & prayers go out to the family of a fellow woodcarver. Always enjoyed the conversations at the annual Rochester woodcarving show with DeLos & the carvings he would display."
"Dear Karen, Bjorn and Kirstin & the rest of the Olson Family: Our Sincere Condolences! DeLos was a dear friend since I first met him at the Minneapolis airport a winterday in early 1976 on a National Guard/Norwegian Home Guard visit to Camp Ripley. He greated us welcome to The US in fluent norwegian, and I asked him how long it was since he left Norway. "Je har alder vri i Norje, je," - "I''ve never been to Norway" - he answeared in his very old norwegain dialect!!! I''m so glad I got to meet him a last time late June 2010 - when came on his last trip to the Old Country - also visiting the Oscarsborg Fortress close to my home town, Droebak. We also remeber a week in June many years ago when he, Karen, Kirstin and Bjorn visited us in Droebak: The rest of the family was on the beach - and I told DeLos that we should join them. "I''ll just put on som shorts", I said...and DeLos replied: "-Da tek je stuttbuksa, je..." I said "shorts"...DeLos said "stuttbukse" ... an ancient norwegian word for "shorts".. The Steine family regrets the loss of Delos - all our thoughts are withe the Olson Family theese days. I salute the Major! Kind regards - J. Ketil Steine, Commander Senior Grade (R), Coastal Rangers/Royal Norwegian Navy "
"I knew Delos mainly through the Nordlandslag, but quickly came to admire him. He was a great guy, and quite a talent. He will be greatly missed."
"Dear Karen, Bjorn with your family and Kirstin with your family. We are so sad to hear of your loss. DeLos was our very special friend. His smile, humor and laugh, his helpfulness and care are wonderful memories we always will cherish. We will never forget what he did for us during our stay in Rochester. He made a difficult time so much easier. We miss him always. Those we love remain with us For love itself lives on, And cherished memories never fade Because a loved one''''s gone. Those we love can never be More than a thought apart, For as long as there is memory, They''''ll live on in the heart. We share your sorrow and wish we could be there. With love and our heartfelt sympathy to you all. Even with his family, Maren, Stein Torgeir and Marit "
"Dear Karen, Bjorn and Kristen I cannot believe my friend is gone. DeLos was such a great person. I was 14, he was 60 and he became a cherished friend. I will never forget all the wonderful times we spent together. Friends are a gift from God They bring us joy and happiness And help us in times of need That's why I can truly say How glad I am I had this friend Friendship does not end at death. It is eternal. With love from me and my family Kyrre and Maia, Gunn-Anna "
"My prayers and condolences go out to the family of my friend and fellow woodcarver. He was a very special person and we will miss him. Terry Johnson"
"Worked with Delos when he was with City. Great worker,good sense of humour and a wonderful man. Loved his acanthus carvings! Will miss him much. Glenn Amundsen"
"I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm a fellow carver and he always seemed so positive and happy. He will be missed. I am unable to attend the funeral due to previous scheduled engagements so I'm sending this to express my condolences. Prayers will be sent your way from our home. God bless."
"Our thoughts and prayers are with you as we remember Delos in many ways, I enjoyed his laugh and his smile- such a happy man and proud of his family. With a heavy heart we think of you all and know that he will live on in all of you. Love, Melissa and Jase in Sioux Falls, SD"
"Marge and I are greatly saddened to learn of the passing of DeLos. We marveled at his accomplishments last year, despite his poor health and numerous hospital stays. He organized a great Nordlandslaget Stevne last June in Rochchester. DeLos became a dear friend in a short time. We extend sincere condolences and deepest sympathy to his family and friends."
"He was a special person. Loved his wood carving and sense of humor. Will be missed by everyone for a long time."
"Our deepest sympathies to you all. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. He was a great guy and fun to be around! (We will miss Delos at Michelle and Bjorn's Thanksgiving dinners!! He and Bjorn were quite the team in the kitchen!!)"
"Dear Karen, Bjorn and Kirstin: What a joy DeLos was for all of us to know and love. He always greeted me with a smile and brightened my day. Just wanted you to know that you are in my prayers. He will be missed. Love in Christ - Judy G"
"It was my great pleasure to serve on the board of the Hadeland Lag with DeLos. He wasn''t an "armchair" board member, and put in whatever work was required to get a job done. His easy-going manner and quiet humor will be greatly missed. Good men are hard to find, and certainly DeLos was one. My heartfelt sympathy to all the members of his family."