Loren E. Olson, 89 of Fall Creek, passed away Tuesday morning, Sept. 12, 2017 at Mayo Clinic Health System, Eau Claire.
Loren Eugene Olson, son of Olger and Maude (Hakes) Olson was born Dec. 31, 1927 in Northfield, Wisconsin. He was raised on a farm in the Northfield area with his brother Menford. He attended school in Northfield and was baptized and confirmed at South Beef River Lutheran Church, rural Osseo. Loren met Marian A. Koxlien at the dance hall in York and three years later on August 20, 1948 they were united in marriage at the Lutheran parsonage in Pigeon Falls. The couple lived all their married life in Fall Creek, where Loren began his career working as a mechanic for Earl Johnson Chevrolet and 4 years later with Coffin and Schaaf Chevrolet in Augusta and Fall Creek. Eventually Loren and Marian purchased and operated their own service station in Fall Creek which was called Olson Shell. Over the 36 years that they ran the station they employed many young men from the Fall Creek area and was privileged to have work long enough that his own grandson Bret Ming worked with him for 4 years. Loren’s years of working earned him a reputation as the “best mechanic” in the area. People trusted Loren, he would do all he could to help someone out, and always at a fair and honest price. His station wasn’t just for gas and repairs but also a gathering place for friends to have a cup of coffee and good conversation.
After Loren retired in 1997, he enjoyed working in his garage at home and would still do small jobs on small engines, as he could fix almost anything. At this time in his life he also branched out into woodworking projects. When Loren wasn’t working he enjoyed traveling with Marian in their motor home and taking weekend camping and fishing trips. For nearly 70 years Loren had been a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fall Creek and for 25 years had served with the Fall Creek Volunteer Fire Department. After Marian suffered a massive stroke in 2012, Loren faithfully cared for her with his daily visits to the Fall Creek Valley Nursing Home. Marian passed away on April 12, 2015.
“ A better man was hard to be found.” This is the sentiment of Loren’s family who will dearly missed him; his daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Vern Ming of Fall Creek; 3 grandsons, Bret and Cindy Ming and their daughters, Emily and Karlee of Eau Claire, Joe Ming and his sons, Tyler, Luke, Josh and Seth of Eau Claire, Jason and Angie Ming and their children, Jake and Hannah of Fall Creek; sister-in-law, Arlene Maug of Eau Claire; several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife he was also preceded in death by his parents and brother Menford.
A visitation will be held Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fall Creek. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the church with Pastor Carlton Kangas officiating. Burial will be in the Trinity Cemetery in Fall Creek.
The family is assisted by the Anderson Funeral Home in Augusta.