Funeral services will be held at the Lengby Baptist Church in Lengby, MN on Saturday, October 9, 2021, at 11:00 am with Pastor Mark Erickson officiating. Burial will be held on the family plot at Rose Hill Cemetery near Mentor, MN (alongside their son, Stephen who was buried in 1993).

Gary Lee Olson was born on June 23, 1940 at home on the family farm in Tilden Township, Polk County, MN; the son of Arnold and Mervyn (Ostgaard) Olson.  He was baptized and confirmed at Faith Lutheran Church in Mentor, MN.  He attended Dugdale Country School in Tilden Township and graduated from Mentor High School with the class of 1958.  Following high school, Gary worked on the Dragseth Farm near Eldred, MN for several years.

On September 16, 1963, Gary entered into military service with the United States Army.  His basic training was at Fort Leonard Wood, MO and then spent a year in Vietnam where he specialized in water purification.  Gary returned to Fort Benning, GA where he was Honorably Discharged in 1965.

Gary returned to Mentor and purchased a farm in Grove Park Township, Polk County, MN where he raised small grains and livestock. On June 1, 1974, Gary was united in marriage to Patricia Clark at the Bethel Bible Church in Mentor, MN.  To this union two children were born, Carla and Stephen.  Gary lovingly welcomed Patricia's four children Patrick, Carmen, Wolfe and Melvin. Together they raised their family of six.

In the mid 1980s, Gary began working for Anderson Seed and in 1992 went to work for Perry Farms near Crookston, MN.  In 1993, Gary started working at the Occupational Development Center (ODC) in Crookston.  In 1997, Gary worked at the Recycling Center in Fosston, MN and then he retired in 2010.  Gary's passion was farming.  He also enjoyed vegetable gardening, fishing and hunting.  He could often be found in his shop spending hours making old things new. Gary especially enjoyed his time spent with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Gary was a member of Bethel Bible Church in Mentor, MN. He was baptized in Spring Lake on August 16, 2009.

Gary is survived by his loving wife, Patricia Olson of Fosston, MN; his children Patrick (Rhonda) Clark of Yakima, WA; Carmen (Mitch) Lenz of Fertile, MN; Wolfe (Wendy) Clark of Fertile, MN; Melvin (Julie) Clark of East Grand Forks, MN and Carla Nelson of Bagley, MN; eighteen grandchildren Zachary (Frances), Jacob (Heather), Micaela (Brandyn), Cody (Maggie), Tanner (Krystal), Brylee, Elijah (Brooke), Taylor, Andrah, Emily, Sophia and Cassie; four great-grandchildren Obelia, Elly, Christian, Kendall, and Isla; two brothers, two sisters and many nieces, nephews, relative and friends.

He is preceded in death by his son, Stephen Allen Olson; his parents, brother Stephen Olson, sister-in-law Judy Olson.

Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com