Obit: Olson, Hermod Ithiel (1912 – 2009)

Contact: Dolores

Surnames: Olson, Gilbertson, Fevolden, Kolden, White, Tennies, Raether, Frye, Arneson, Larson, Honaker, Millis, Bowen, Folkers, Thoreson

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) October 7, 2009

Olson, Hermod Ithiel (15 May 1912 – 29 September 2009)

Hermod Ithiel Olson, 97, of Black River Falls passed away peacefully Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009, at the Pine View Care Center with his daughter Becky at his side.

He donated his body to UW-Madison Medial School, hoping this would help others avoid the vision loss he had due to Macular degeneration.

Hermod was born May 15, 1912, In Sheridan County, North Dakota, to Hans F. and Inga M. (Gilbertson) Olson. At the age of four, he moved with his family to the farm, located in the Town of Irving in Jackson County, which was settled by his grandfather, Ole Olson Fevolden.

He attended Norwegian School in Irving and public school in Irving and Black River Falls.  He spent his early life logging and farming.

Hermod married Amy L. Kolden Nov. 14, 1949.  The couple was married for 42 years until Amy’s death in 1991.  They raised two children, Thomas H and Rebecca E.

In addition to farming, he was employed by the Federation Co-op in various capacities and as a school bus driver for the Black River Falls School District.

In later years, he volunteered at Pine View Care Center.  He was active in his church and the Jackson County visually impaired group.

Hermod enjoyed fishing, hunting, listening to fiddling music, dancing and woodworking.  He liked to attend the Wisconsin Lions Camp in Rosholt and the Wisconsin School for the visually impaired in Janesville.

He was always interested in his family and the farm.  He enjoyed living at the River Grove Apartments a lot.

Surviving are his son, Thomas (Ginny) Olson, Cottage Grove; his daughter, Becky (Lyall) White, Black River Falls; two grandchildren, Robert (Andrea) Olson, Madison, and Anne (Joe) Tennies, Platteville; one great-granddaughter, Chloe Tennies; one brother-in-law, Ray Raether, Black River Falls; numerous nieces and nephews; and four very special friends, Eunice Frye, Beverly Arneson, Marcella Larson and Leonard Honaker.

He was also preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Grace Millis Bowen, Inez Raether and Orpha Folkers.

Memorial funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, at the Little Norway Lutheran Church, STH 54W, Black River Falls.  Pastor Calvin Thoreson will officiate.

Visitation will be at the church Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of services.

Torgerson’s Funeral Service (715-284-4321), Black River Falls, is assisting the family with arrangements.