Mark R. Olson

Memorial services for Mark R. Olson of Mesa, AZ formerly of Roseau, MN will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 1:00PM at Helgeson Funeral Home in Roseau, MN. Military rites will be provided by the Roseau Memorial Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers the family would like donations to be sent to the local ALS chapter or the Malung Cemetery.

Today and always we honor and remember Mark Roland Olson – born in Roseau, Minnesota on January 22, 1951 to George and Elsie (Mickelson) Olson. His family moved to Ely, Minnesota after Mark finished the 1st grade. They then relocated to Isabella, Minnesota where he graduated high school from Silver Bay, Minnesota in 1969. He attended one year of tech school in Great Lakes, Minnesota before enlisting in the Navy.

Mark is cherished as a loving husband, son, friend, brother, uncle, Navy petty officer 3rd class, and Vietnam veteran. He served as a machinist mate in Vietnam and he also spent some time off the coast of North Korea. Mark was awarded numerous medals for his service as well as the Combat Action Ribbon. As we know, many Vietnam veterans were not treated well when they arrived home. Mark never talked much about his service but he received his well-deserved, proper welcome home and thank you in May of 2022.

He worked at Polaris Industries as a tool room machinist from 1985-1994. In 1994, Mark and Sonja moved to Arizona. He then worked at Wrico Stamping as supervisor of the tool room until his retirement in 2020. He married his loving and incredible wife, Sonja, on August 30, 1975. They have been married for 47 years. The love shared between the two of them is one for the books and movies. Something we all hope and pray to have during our lifetime. Both Mark and Sonja are incredible blessed to have experienced the love they have for one another for as long as they did. Mark always had a way of making everyone feel so loved by him. His voice soothed the room and his personality brought happiness to everyone around him.

Mark loved the outdoors; camping, fishing, traveling in their 5th wheel, tinkering on the 5th wheel, grilling up some mean chicken and drinking a cold one with friends and family. Mark was officially diagnosed with ALS in December of 2021 and during his strenuous and difficult battle, Sonja strongly advocated for him the entire time. Both she and their super-hero niece, Allison, ensured his wishes were met by keeping him at home and out of the hospital. We know this meant the world to him. Sonja was by his side until the very end. Mark fought his battle with ALS heroically and with poise. His slightly stubborn, always-in-control attitude and strong will ensured his hard fight. Mark passed peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, friends and the love of his life, just as he had wished. He passed on Friday, April 7, 2023 – Good Friday and also his mother’s birthday, exactly as he had planned. We take solace in knowing he is reunited with his mother, father, siblings, and friends who passed before him. We find joy in knowing he is looking down on us, out of pain, and showing signs that he is still very much with us each and every day. Today and always we honor Mark Olson; an incredible man whose memory lives on in all of us.

Mark is survived by his wife Sonja; brothers, Harley (Lisa) Olson, Vern (Wanda) Olson, Steve (Jan) Olson; sisters-in-law, Delores, Jeannie (Loren); brother-in-law, Danny (Pam); mother-in-law, Yvonne Dybedahl; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Everett, Stanton and Leland; sisters, Mardell Johnson and Irene Snow; in-laws, Libby Jacobson and Raymond Dybedahl.

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