Melvin Clifford Olson

Age 90 of Bloomington, born June 27, 1932 in Fosston, MN to Olaf & Mabel Olson, passed peacefully in the comforts of his home with family present on July 10, 2022.

Mel is remembered as being a hard worker, hands-on and active with helping and doing, contributing and participating.  He could solve and fix just about anything.  Born in Fosston, MN, he grew up on the family farm West of Lengby, graduated high school from the U of M Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston, then enlisted in the Marine Corps for three years serving in Korea for 18 months.  Returning to Minneapolis, he was hired by Sico, Inc., married, and earned welding certifications at Dunwoody Institute.  He retired from Sico as Plant Manager after 40 years’ service.  Mel’s life pleasures were all about family time, heading north to the cabin he built, ushering and weekly participation with the Tuesday maintenance crew at Bethel Lutheran Church.  He had fun bowling and general mechanical tinkering/fixing.  He enjoyed his meetings and activities with the Minnesota Korean War Veterans Chapter One where he was also longtime Quartermaster.  Mel was a member of the American Legion Post 550 and life member of VFW Post 5555.   Mel lived with Parkinson ’s disease for many years.  Thank you to b-home Home Care by English Rose for wonderful long term care services and also to the amazing staff at Grace Hospice.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ramona (nee Austin) Olson, one sister and two brothers.  Melvin will be dearly missed by children, Mark and Cori Beth; grandchildren, Elsa (Nick) and Mitchell; two great grandchildren; three sisters and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service, 10:30 AM, Wednesday, July 20, 2022 with a visitation one hour before at Bethel Ev. Lutheran Church, 4120 17^th Ave. S., Minneapolis.  Interment, Fort Snelling National Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to the church or Grace Hospice.