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Melvin Clifford Olson

June 27, 1932 - July 10, 2022

U.S. Veteran

Service – 10:30 AM, Wed., July 20, 2022 Visitation 9:30 – 10:30 AM Bethel Ev. Lutheran Church 4120 17th Ave. S., Minneapolis Burial – Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Obituary Viewed 1671 times

Posted by:
Jeff Kittelson

Posted on:
July 17, 2022

I, like so many, will great miss having Mel in my life. Technically, Mel was my 2nd Cousin on my dad’s side, but endearingly thought of and called my Uncle Mel. My dad and Mel were like brothers growing-up (just nine months separating the two), so it was natural to think of Mel as my dearest and favorite uncle. One of my fondest first memories was being at a St. Louis gas station with Mel and Cori when Cori and I were only 7 years old (about a year before Apollo 11). St. Louis was where I was raised. I remember Mel saying, “gas price just jumped above 35 cents, what’s next?” Then he asked Cori if she wanted a pop? I didn’t know what a “pop” was until he came back with 2 Cokes in small iconic glass bottles. That was my first of many Cokes. Those that know me, know that I could easily be the poster child for Coca Cola which I credit Mel and Cori for the introduction. Mel taught me how to ski when I was 9 or 10 on Buck Hill. I remember that day so vividly. My dad was supposed to teach me, but he kept falling so Mel stepped in. My dad must have been more of a cross-country skier than alpine because he always told me that he skied up hill both ways to school and back. Even though Mel’s kids, Cori and Mark, were on the more changing and fun Buck Hill slopes/runs and he could have been with them, Mel stayed with me and my dad on the bunny hill. I also remember all the times that I went fishing at the Olson cabin with Mel on Big Sandy Lake. My dad, my brother, Cori, Mark, and I would go fishing with Mel. In truth, I never liked anything about fishing and Mel knew that. But I remember Mel always being very attentive toward me (trying to get me to have fun) by keeping my line de-weeded and fresh bait on the hook. The fish seemed to be very intelligent because I was often the only one to catch fish on our outings and I was also the only one that insisted to throw the fish back in the lake. No fish ever died when we all went fishing together. Jump about 20 years later when I moved to the Twin Cities to work for 3M Company, 30 years ago. Mel was always a bit too believing (some call that gullible), and as an adult I would sometimes take advantage of that. For example, after interviewing at 3M, I went to Mel’s house and told him that I got the job but 3M insisted on one condition. I told him that 3M is requiring that I stay with Mel and Mona for the first 6 months or the job offer would be rescinded. In less time that it takes a heart to beat, Mel simply said “you betcha.” For me, a bigger reason to move to the Twin Cities was not only working for 3M, but to be around my second intermediate family consisting of Mel, Mona, Mark, and Cori and her two great kids, Elsa and Mitchell. Its worth saying again and again, Mel will be greatly missed by everyone that ever had the privilege of knowing him. I stand 6’6” but it was always easy for me to look up to Mel because he embodied so much of what is honorable, courageous, trustworthy-to-a-fault, generous, and he was a never-ending fountain of unconditional love and genuine compassion for others. He will always be my role model and hero. I will always treasure all of the the moments and fond memories that we shared together. God Bless my dear Uncle Mel, and God Bless all that knew him.

Posted by:
Jeff Kittelson

Posted on:
July 17, 2022

I, like so many, will great miss having Mel in my life. Technically, Mel was my 2nd Cousin on my dad’s side, but endearingly thought of and called my Uncle Mel. My dad and Mel were like brothers growing-up (just nine months separating the two), so it was natural to think of Mel as my dearest and favorite uncle. One of my fondest first memories was being at a St. Louis gas station with Mel and Cori when Cori and I were only 7 years old (about a year before Apollo 11). St. Louis was where I was raised. I remember Mel saying, “gas price just jumped above 35 cents, what’s next?” Then he asked Cori if she wanted a pop? I didn’t know what a “pop” was until he came back with 2 Cokes in small iconic glass bottles. That was my first of many Cokes. Those that know me, know that I could easily be the poster child for Coca Cola which I credit Mel and Cori for the introduction. Mel taught me how to ski when I was 9 or 10 on Buck Hill. I remember that day so vividly. My dad was supposed to teach me, but he kept falling so Mel stepped in. My dad must have been more of a cross-country skier than alpine because he always told me that he skied up hill both ways to school and back. Even though Mel’s kids, Cori and Mark, were on the more changing and fun Buck Hill slopes/runs and he could have been with them, Mel stayed with me and my dad on the bunny hill. I also remember all the times that I went fishing at the Olson cabin with Mel on Big Sandy Lake. My dad, my brother, Cori, Mark, and I would go fishing with Mel. In truth, I never liked anything about fishing and Mel knew that. But I remember Mel always being very attentive toward me (trying to get me to have fun) by keeping my line de-weeded and fresh bait on the hook. The fish seemed to be very intelligent because I was often the only one to catch fish on our outings and I was also the only one that insisted to throw the fish back in the lake. No fish ever died when we all went fishing together. Jump about 20 years later when I moved to the Twin Cities to work for 3M Company, 30 years ago. Mel was always a bit too believing (some call that gullible), and as an adult I would sometimes take advantage of that. For example, after interviewing at 3M, I went to Mel’s house and told him that I got the job but 3M insisted on one condition. I told him that 3M is requiring that I stay with Mel and Mona for the first 6 months or the job offer would be rescinded. In less time that it takes a heart to beat, Mel simply said “you betcha.” For me, a bigger reason to move to the Twin Cities was not only working for 3M, but to be around my second intermediate family consisting of Mel, Mona, Mark, and Cori and her two great kids, Elsa and Mitchell. Its worth saying again and again, Mel will be greatly missed by everyone that ever had the privilege of knowing him. I stand 6’6” but it was always easy for me to look up to Mel because he embodied so much of what is honorable, courageous, trustworthy-to-a-fault, generous, and he was a never-ending fountain of unconditional love and genuine compassion for others. He will always be my role model and hero. I will always treasure all of the the moments and fond memories that we shared together. God Bless my dear Uncle Mel, and God Bless all that knew him.

Posted by:
Liz Austin

Posted on:
July 15, 2022

What a beautifully written tribute to a wonderful man . Mel will be greatly missed by friends and family.

Posted by:
Erin

Posted on:
July 15, 2022

Cori, My heart goes out to you and your family in this difficult time. Although I never met your Dad our talks about him allowed me to see how much of a wonderful person he was and what an amazing daughter you are. He will be greatly missed. Sending you hugs and lots of love and prayers. Erin