Gale L. Olson

Gale Leland Olson, 84, of Roseau, MN passed away June 18th 2025 with his wife and family by his side. He was born August 11th, 1940 to Lawrence and Mildred (Nelson) Olson, the second of what would be ten children.

He lived in Stafford most of his younger life with his parents and nine sisters. After high school he worked at different jobs in Roseau. He helped build the Malung and Wannaska schools and the Roseau hospital. He then went into the Navy for three years. He was stationed in mainland Japan, the Philippines, Mombasa, Vietnam and Okinawa. He came back to Roseau and then went to Minneapolis for a year. He then married Carol Starren and they would be married for 60 years. They moved back to Roseau and raised beef cattle with his dad. In Roseau he also worked at the REA as a lineman for 31 years. Later they moved to the farm and lived there until 2022. As a result of contracting COVID and Alzheimer's disease, he moved to the nursing home in Hallock in December of 2023 and lived there until his passing.

He enjoyed the outdoors. He loved to hunt, work in his garden and take many rides on his four-wheeler. He enjoyed playing fast pitch softball and he was on a bowling team for many years. He golfed and was also in a mixed couples volleyball league with Carol. Family was very important to Gale. He and Carol had five children: Cheryl, DeAnn, Lori, Brian and Brenda. Gale was a very devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He will be greatly missed by many.

Gale is preceded in death by grandsons Jake Johnson, Christian Johnson, brother-in-law Russell Ringsak, nephew Hans Ringsak and great nephew Scott Radesic.

Gale is survived by his loving wife, Carol, children, Cheryl (Scott) Miller, DeAnn (Ward) Anderson, Lori (Barry) Johnson, Brian (Samantha) Olson, and Brenda (Alex) McMillin, all of Roseau. Also survived by 13 Grandchildren: Sam Miller, Julianna (Tucker) Poikonen, Nick Anderson and Kindra Albers, Morgan Rhodes, Riley (Lydia) Johnson, Lauren Johnson and Hanson O'leary, Jordan (Brianna) Olson, Izaak Olson and Rachel Kendall, Josh Olson, Kelsie McMillin, Taylor McMillin and Cody Johnson, Anna (Gus) Johnson and Ray McMillin, and eight great grandchildren.

A funeral for Gale will be held on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church in Roseau with a visitation starting one hour prior to the service.

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