Obit: Olson, Rev. J. A. (1888 - 1949)

Contact: Linda Ewen

Surnames: Olson, Carlson, Steinke, Thoren

----Source: Spencer Record, Spencer, Wis.) 12/1/1949

Olson, Rev. J. A. (26 OCT 1888 - NOV 1949)


Rev. J. A. Olson Dies Suddenly

Funeral services were held at 2:30 p. m. Sunday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Unity, for the Rev. J. A. Olson, who died at 2:45 a.m. Thanksgiving day at Spencer of a heart attack suffered in his car. He was enroute to Marshfield to meet his son, Paul, who was returning home from Minneapolis. Mrs. Olson was with her husband at the time.

Rev. Olson had served as pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church since July 1927, except for 3 ½ years when he served as pastor at Wadena, Minn. He returned to Unity in December 1945.

The Rev. Mr. Olson was born October 26, 1888, at Crystal Falls, Mich. As a youth he moved with his family to Norway, Mich., and later worked as a sampler in the iron mines in the northern part of the state.

He was married to Esther Carlson October 25, 1917 at Marquette, Mich., and then served with the armed forces in World War I. He attended college and seminary at Rock Island, Ill., and was ordained at Omaha, Neb. in June 1927, arriving in Unity the next month.

He served as chaplain of the American Legion Post at Unity for many years and was a member of the Clark County Lutheran Pastor’s Association.

Surviving are his wife and four children, Bartlett, Milwaukee; Mrs. Marvin (Isabelle) Steinke, Wisconsin Rapids; and Paul and Sharon at home. There are three grandchildren.

Brothers and sisters surviving include Arthur and Mrs. Hilma Thoren, Negaunee, Mich. And Bernie, Beaver Dam.

Rev. Olson was well known in and around Spencer and his many friends in this community were very sorry to hear of his sudden passing.