Gilbert Edwin Olson, 101, died on Saturday, January 22, 2011 at Thief River Care Center in Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM, Thursday, January 27, 2011, at Westaker Free Lutheran Church in Newfolden, MN with Pastor Phil Rokke and Pastor Ollie Urdahl officiating. Burial will follow in Bethania Cemetery in the spring.

Visitation will be held 5-8 PM, Wednesday, January 26, 2011 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Thursday.

Gilbert Edwin Olson was born on October 4, 1909 to John and Annie (Myrfield) Olson in rural Warren, MN. He attended country school in the Warren area. He worked on various farms in the area as a young man.

Gilbert was united in marriage to Adeline Bengtson on July 21, 1935 in Thief River Falls. The couple lived on the Bengtson farm and later bought a farm southwest of Newfolden. They lived 2 years on the Iron Range. In 1956, they bought a farm north of Newfolden, where Gilbert lived until 2006, when he moved into the Newfolden Apartments for 2 years, until moving to Valley Home in January of 2009.

Gilbert sheared sheep for about 50 years, worked in potato harvest and Drayton Beet Plant. He was a kind and loving Dad. He enjoyed deer hunting and fishing, and was an excellent gopher trapper. He was a member of Bethania Lutheran Church and served on the church council. He loved and served the Lord and was blessed with a long and happy life

Gilbert is survived by two daughters: Elsie (Andy) Lindgren, Cass Lake, MN, Janice Ramsey, Detroit Lakes, MN, five grandchildren, Rachel (Mark) Malo, Nathan (Carol) Lindgren, Michael (Tami) Ramsey, Jonathon (Christy) Ramsey, Timothy (Kim) Ramsey, 12 great grandchildren, Michael & Jordan Malo, Tyler & Walker Gray, Phillip, Benjamin, Christopher, Mariah Ramsey, McKenna & Addison Ramsey, Anna & Ella Ramsey, one sister Lillian Miska, Alexandria, MN, sister-in-law, Marjorie Olson, Modesto, CA and several nieces and nephews.

Gilbert was preceded in death by his wife Adeline in 1997, parents, son-in-law, David Ramsey, great grandson Seth Ramsey, siblings, Gordon, Emma Peterson, James, Oscar, Freeman, Roy, Doris Hebert, Mabel Voytilla, and an infant sister.


ORGANIST: Tami Ramsey
SOLOIST: Special music by Gilberts family
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: What A Friend We Have In Jesus, Blessed Assurance, Precious Memories
PALLBEARERS: Michael Ramsey, Jonathon Ramsey, Timothy Ramsey, Nathan Lindgren, Phillip Ramsey, Benjamin Ramsey, Rachel Malo
HONORARY PALLBEARERS: Michael