Clarence Olson

Clarence H. Olson, Bismarck, ND, formerly of Tioga, ND, passed away peacefully on Sunday afternoon, April 1, 2012, at St. Gabriel's Community, with his wife of more than 71 years, Doris, by his side. Services will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, April 4, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, with Rev. Rodger Olson officiating. Military graveside services will be in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm Tuesday, April 3, at Parkway Funeral Service, where a gathering and sharing time will begin at 7:00 pm. Clarence was born August 18, 1920, to Otto and Anna Heieie Olson, in South Meadow Township, north of Temple, ND. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at the St. Olaf Lutheran Church in rural Tioga. Clarence attended grade school near his farm home and graduated from Tioga High School in 1938. Clarence married Doris Iola Holte in 1941. From this marriage three children were born, Leon, Lana, and Lane. Clarence was active in community affairs. He taught Sunday school and was superintendent in Zion Lutheran Church in Tioga where he sang in the choir for many years. He was a member of the Tioga American Legion Post 130 and held many offices, including, 9th District Deputy and was active in the Tioga Fire Dept. and Ambulance service. Clarence was president of the Tioga Hospital Association and president of the Tioga Chamber of Commerce. He worked hard to improve Highway 40 north and south of Tioga, and was past-president of the North Dakota Highway 2 Associations. Clarence was also a committee member of the U.S. Highway 2 Associations. In an unsuccessful effort to get a highway from Tioga directly to Estevan, Canada, he helped form the Canada, American Defense Highway Association which consisted of city officials from Estevan, Noonan, McGregor, and Tioga. As a young man, he clerked in local grocery stores and at the age of 19, was appointed manager of the Tioga Cream and Produce Association. He held this position until he was drafted to the Army in 1942. Clarence was honorably discharged in 1945. He was appointed Food and Hotel Inspector of the State Laboratories in Bismarck. He later became a mail clerk in St. Paul, MN, for a short while and in 1952, he and his family moved back to Tioga. He later opened the Esquire Men's and Boy's Clothing Store which he operated for nine years. He and his family moved to Bozeman, MT, where he worked in a clothing store. In 1970, Clarence was hired by the North Dakota Health Department to implement part of the Emergency Health Services which included dispensing DOT funds to political sub-divisions to purchase ambulances and training ambulance personnel. He held this position for 14 ½ years. His last position was as a custodian in the State Capitol building in Bismarck, from which he retired at the age of 85. Clarence enjoyed watching sports with his family and especially following his grandson Tim's career with the Arizona Diamond Backs and the Colorado Rockies. He loved playing his accordion and the piano, singing and dancing, especially with his beautiful wife, Doris. Clarence is survived by his wife of more than 71 years, Doris, Bismarck; son, Leon Donna Olson, La Verne, CA; daughter, Lana Olson, Bismarck; and son, Lane Laurie Olson, Bismarck; his grandchildren, Michael Diane Olson, Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Tim Stephanie Olson, McKinney, TX, Cassie Cervera, Arcada, CO, Tara Burns, Galt, CA, Ginger Rohde fiancé, Phil McMahon, Jessie Rhonda Rohde, Michele Max Dahlstein, and Tim McElveen; his great-granchildren, Jacob, Kaylee, Ryan, Ashley and Amelia Olson, Dillon, and Christian Dahlstein, Josh Lawyer and Bobbi Lynn Rohde. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved very much. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Ernest and Art; sister, Mildred; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Lewis and Dina Holte; and many, many special relatives.

Clarence Olson

August 18, 1920 - April 1, 2012