John Olsen

John A. Olsen, 96, Marshfield, formerly of Loyal, passed away at Stoney River Assisted Living in Marshfield, on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., on Friday, Nov. 11, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Loyal. Rev. Daniel Zimmerman will officiate, and burial will follow in the Loyal City Cemetery. Military rites will be conducted by the Loyal American Legion Post #175. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until time of service.

John Andrew Olsen was born on April 6, 1926, in the town of Warner, rural Greenwood, to Christian and Julia Angeline (nee Dyre) Olsen. He was raised on the family farm and received his elementary education in Greenwood and Loyal, graduating from Loyal High School in 1944. After high school, John worked on the family farm until entering the U.S. Army on Jan. 7, 1946. He was stationed at a prison stockade in the Philippine Islands until his honorable discharge on June 27, 1947. John was united in marriage to Gladys Anita Fenner on Aug. 16, 1947, at the Loyal Methodist Church. John worked with his brother, Vern, doing carpentry work for a couple years, and then farmed his father’s farm for nine years. He then went to work as a mechanic for Noeldner Implement from 1957-64, and then was employed as a mechanical engineer for the Loyal Public School District for 24 years until retiring in 1987. After retiring, they enjoyed 20 winters in Sun City, Ariz., and traveling. He had many interests, but especially loved camping, fishing, deer hunting, woodworking, wood carving, and making things for his grandchildren. John was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where he served as president of the church council and belonged to the Brotherhood, serving on various board positions. John served on the Loyal School Board, both as a clerk and as president. He was a volunteer fireman for the town of Loyal, and later the city of Loyal, where he served as secretary/treasurer. John was also a member of the Loyal American Legion Post #175 where he served on the military honors funeral detail for many years. He was a member of the Clark County Male Chorus for several years, and was a charter member of the Loyal Circle 8 Square Dance Club.

He will be dearly missed by his wife, Gladys, of Marshfield; his children: Sue Olson of Duluth, Minn., Carl (Becky) Olsen of Avon, Minn., David (Debbie) Olsen of Barron, and Jean (Mick) Braun of Phillips; seven grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

John was preceded in death by his parents; three grandchildren: one son-in-law: Herb Olson; one sister: Ella Stevens; and five brothers: Howard, Vern, Conrad, Arthur, and Rev. Floyd Olsen.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be given to Trinity Lutheran Church in Loyal.

PAID OBITUARY 128638