Loren G. Olson "Senator Olson" , 87, died Wednesday, May 27, 2015, at Benedictine Care Community in Ada, MN.

Loren was born February 8, 1928, at Halstad, MN, the son of Oscar and Nora (Hellerud) Olson. He was baptized and confirmed at Augustana Lutheran Church and attended country school near Halstad, before graduating from Halstad High School.

Loren proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict from January of 1952, until his honorable discharge in October of 1953. He returned home and worked for many years as a carpenter and built many farm buildings in the Red River Valley and around the country. Loren was married to Murial Ingasatter on Nov. 19, 1956, and for a number of years, they lived in Rockford, IL, and raised their family. He also did some farming and helped area farmers. Murial died in 1969.

On July 22, 1972, Loren married Avis Lee. At the time, Avis had 6 children, and together they finished raising eight children in rural Shelly, MN, where they made their home. Avis' sister, Doris, passed away in April of 1971, and with a generous heart Loren took the children, Cindy, Randy and Debbie Dahm, in as his own. Avis and Loren owned Olson Tavern in Shelly for three years where they enjoyed the company of the local community. After they sold the tavern they worked on their own building pole sheds, and then went to work for Abentroth Construction.

Avis and Loren said goodbye to their home and farm in the fall of 2011 and moved to the assisted living facility Valley View Manor in Ada. They then moved to Benedictine Care Community nursing home in February of 2013, where they have enjoyed the company of many lifelong friends and familiar faces.

Loren is survived by his children, Greg Olson of Osage, MN; Bradley (Terri) Olson of Idaho Falls, ID; Dorothy Russell of Prineville, OR; and 6 stepchildren: Judy Hitner of Idaho Falls, ID; Carol (Fred) Tolli of Idaho Falls, ID; Loren (Harriet) Lee of Pelican Rapids, MN; Milt (Emily) Lee of Ada, MN; Jesse (Elizabeth) Lee of Ada, MN; and Lenora (David) Bjorge of Buxton, ND; Randy (Chrys) Dahm, Oceanside, CA; Debbie Dahm-Andrews, Coos Bay, OR; 36 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and 12 great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Donald Olson, and his wives, Murial and Avis, Cindy Dahm-Arnold.



Funeral: 10:30AM, Tuesday, June 2, 2015 at Grace Lutheran Church, Ada.


Visitation: 4-7PM Monday with a 6:30 prayer service all at Benedictine Care Community Chapel, Ada, MN and one hour before the service at the church.


Interment: Clara Lutheran Cemetery, Comstock, MN.