Please click on the video tribute below to view Harold's funeral and burial services.

Harold V. Olson, 98, Rural Fertile, Minnesota, passed away on Monday, August 12, 2024, at the Hillsboro Medical Center in Hillsboro, North Dakota.

Harold Vernon Olson was born on October 19, 1925, in Rindal, Minnesota to Arthur Olson and Clara (Rude) Olson.  He attended country school through the eighth grade. He was a World II Veteran and served his country in the United States Army. He was inducted into the Army on April 24, 1946. He was awarded the American Theater Ribbon and the World War II Victory Medal. He received an Honorable Discharge on May 11,1947.

Harold worked for an electrical company in Grand Forks, North Dakota for one year but he decided he did not like indoor work. He was recruited by Joe Halstensgard to be a bulldozer operator where he worked on several jobs but met his sweetheart, Esther Maria Johnson on a job near Gary. They were united in holy matrimony at the parsonage in Faaberg Lutheran Church on October 21, 1950. Together they operated a dairy farm and raised four children: Phyllis, Colleen, Dale and Ruth.

Soon after he started a dairy farm, he joined the 49ers and operated the dragline for 30 years. In his spare time Harold enjoyed beaver trapping and using explosives in beaver dams, he also enjoyed visiting with neighbors, fishing and hunting.

He is survived by his children, Dale Olson, Winger, MN, Phyllis (Tim) Billingsley, Edmond, OK, Ruth Olson-Barndt, Anchorage, AK, and Colleen (Greg) Ranz, Rural Fertile, MN; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by his brother, Floyd (Ruby) Olson, Winger, MN; sister, Verna (Ernie) Olson, Moose Lake, MN; and sister-in law, Eleanor Olson.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Marvin Olson; his wife, Esther Olson; parents, Arthur and Clara Olson; one grandson, Ethan Harold Ranz; and one infant son, William Harold Olson.

Funeral Service: 11:00 AM, Monday, August 19, 2024, at Ness Lutheran Church, Gary, MN.

Visitation: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Sunday, August 18, 2024 at Erikson-Vik-Ganje Funeral Home, Fertile, MN, with a prayer service to begin at 6:30 PM.

Interment: Ness Lutheran Cemetery, Gary, MN.

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