John T. Olson

   John T. (Johnny) Olson passed away Friday, May 10, 2019 at the SAanford Hospital in Mayville, ND, after reaching the age of 96 years old.

   John was born on November 19, 1922 to Betsy (Hagen) and Carl J. Olson in in a two-room farmhouse in Garfield Township in Traill County. Within a year of his birth, he and his parents moved to Portland where he started grade school in 1928.  Growing up as the oldest of eight children, John was baptized and confirmed in Aurdal Church where he went on to be a lifelong member.

   He married his loving bride and wife of nearly 66 years, Jean Phyllis Haugen, in 1944 and together they lived in Portland Junction until 1952 when they moved to his childhood family farm. Raising a daughter, Dianne, and son, Jerome, and two sons that passed as infants, this was their home and where they built their life.

   Over the years, John T. earned a private pilot’s license and was a member of the Civil Air Patrol and was a Viking Township Clerk as well as being a hardworking man spending many years working the land as a proud farmer and a heavy equipment operator, working alongside his son as a backhoe operator for 33 years to supply the residents of Traill County with clean drinking water. Other than working tirelessly to support his family, Johnny enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, especially if he was fishing, hunting, watching the Bison and keeping up with what his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were up to. John’s eyes would light up as he told the best stories of times past and the memories that accompany them.

   John T. is survived by his son: Jerome; sisters: Irene Anderson, Eleanore Olslund, Lorraine Weeding, Marjorie Montplaisir and Harriet Schmidt; brother: Hartvick Olson; 10 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; son-in-law: David Odden; sister-in-law: Shirley Olson and numerous nieces and nephews.

   John was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife: Jean; daughter: Dianne Odden; infant sons: Larry and Dana; brother: Carl Olson, Jr.; sister-in-law: Donna Olson and brothers-in-law: James Anderson, Robert Olslund, Jack Weeding, George Montplaisir and Larry Schmidt.

Visitation:  Will be 2–4 PM Sunday, May 19, 2019 at the Baker Funeral Home Chapel in Mayville, ND and will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.

Funeral Service: 10:30 AM Monday, May 20, 2019 at the Aurdal Lutheran Church in Portland, ND.

Burial: Will be in the Aurdal Cemetery in Portland, ND.