Jon Thomas Olson

Jon Thomas Olson was born on July 15, 1947, in Windom, Minnesota to the late Leo and Verna (Hovde)Olson. He was welcomed home by his big brother Gary at their farm south of Storden. A few years later, little brother and sister Rick and Debby joined them and he regarded them as best friends throughout his life. Jon was baptized, confirmed and a life long member of the Amo Lutheran Church in rural Storden. As a child growing up on the farm, Jon played and worked around his sister, brothers, great friends and cousins. Jon attended Storden elementary and high school where at a young age he met and maintained many lifelong friends. After high school, Jon enlisted in the United States Marines in 1966 and was honorably discharged in 1968 having met the rank of Corporal. Upon returning home, Jon attended St.Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota where he met his bride, Annette Louise Zuehlke from Eau Claire, Wisconsin who was attending the University of Minnesota. The inseparable couple tied the knot shortly there after on July 18, 1970 at the Ephipany Lutheran Church in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. After marriage, Jon and Annette moved to St. Cloud where Jon continued his educati...[more]

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Soon the two were off to adventures in Alaska before coming home to farm. In 1974, the couple was blessed with their first son, Eric followed by daughter Tracy and their youngest son, Luke. Jon was an avid sportsman and outdoorsman. He passionately built the farm from house to landscaping with the help of his family. Jon had boundless love for his family and it could not have been more evident, then when he was around his three young grandchildren Leo, Oliver and Eve, who melted his sugarbear heart. Jon was a member of the Herbert-Reese American Legion Post #391 in Storden since 1968, Winchester Club of America since 1978, Dakota Territory Gun Collectors Association, Des Moines River Du Chapter Committee since 1978, Tri State Rifle League, Sun Valley Gun Club, Sioux Empire Cartridge Collectors, Dacotah Rifle League and a 4-H firearms training instructor. He was a lifetime member of the NRA, and also served on the Cottonwood County SWCD for twelve years. Jon had been battling cancer and fought the disease courageously until Wednesday, July 25, 2012, when he passed away peacefully at his home in rural Storden, with his family at his side, at the age of 65 years. Jon is survived by his wife of forty-two years, Annette Olson of Storden; three children, Eric Olson of Storden; Tracy Olson Peschel and her husband, Pete, of Edina; Luke Olson of Storden; three grandchildren, Leo, Oliver and Eve; three siblings, Gary and Betty Olson of Windom; Rick and MaryLynn Olson of Wanaska; Deb and Kim Miller of Jeffers; and several nieces and nephews. Jon is preceded in death by his parents. Blessed be the memory of Jon Thomas Olson. Jon's wishes were in lieu of flowers to plant a tree for someone you love.