Raymond C. Olson, 80, died on Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at Thief River Care Center in Thief River Falls, MN. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, December 17, 2011, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. Mark Helgeland officiating. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a 5:30 prayer service on Friday, December 16, 2011, at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Saturday. Raymond Charles Olson was born on March 5, 1931, to Benard and Alice (Olmstead) Olson. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Plummer, MN. He attended rural Brandt school in Malung Township. He then worked at various farms in Roseau County, until moving to Thief River Falls in 1949. On December 16, 1951 he married Inez Marie Halle at St. John's Lutheran Church in Red Lake Falls, MN. They made their home in Thief River Falls and to this union four sons were born, Faron, Furlien, Marty and Doyle. Ray worked for the City of Thief River Falls and also worked for Prichard Brothers Construction until retiring in 1993. Later, Ray worked for the Federal Housing Administration in Thief River Falls. He also played in a local band for many years known as the "Melody Ranch Hands." On June 27, 1998, Ray was united in marriage to Joyce Kalsnes and they continued to live in Thief River Falls, MN. Together they had a lot of fun and good times with both families. Ray enjoyed music, singing and playing his guitar and violin. He also enjoyed gardening, flowers, wood working, repairing violins, traveling, spending time in the country, having a picnic at the Church In The Pines, and going back to Roseau where he grew up to have coffee and Christmas gatherings with his sisters. Ray was lovingly known as "Ray C.". Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family. Ray was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church and most currently a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. Ray is survived by his wife Joyce Kalsnes Olson, of Thief River Falls, MN, four sons: Faron Olson of Brooklyn Center, MN, Furlien "Fred" (Dawn) Olson of Thief River Falls, MN, Marty Olson of Warroad, MN, Doyle (LeAnn) Olson of Thief River Falls, MN, nine grandchildren, two great grandsons, one great granddaugher, two sisters Blanche (Steve) Pulczinski of Roseau, MN, Beverly (Elmer) Olson of Roseau, MN, sisters-in-law, Ruth Olson, Gloria Horn and Avis Derosier, one uncle Manley (Velma) Olmstead, of Roseau, MN, four step children: Valerie (Pat) Kelly of Phoenix, AZ, Kenneth (Janeen) Kalsnes, of Thief River Falls, MN, Glenn Kalsness of Fargo, ND, Jarrod (Roberta) Kalsnes, of Thief River Falls, MN, 11 step grandchildren, three step great grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, wife Inez, sister Kay, brother Roger, and nephew Chad. Family condolences may be sent to www.johnsonfuneralservice.com SPECIAL MUSIC: Greg Dally & Paula Adamson SELECTIONS: "In The Garden" & "The Old Rugged Cross" CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: "Just As I Am" & "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" CASKETBEARERS: Faron Olson, Furlien "Fred" Olson, Marty Olson, Doyle Olson, Jason Olson, Justin