John E. Olson, age 82, of Bricelyn, died Thursday, Sept 2, 2004, at his home in Bricelyn.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 6,

at the Calvary Baptist Church in Albert Lea.

The Rev. Doug Smither and the Rev. Tom Johnson will officiate.

Visitation will be at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Bricelyn from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Interment will be at

Our Savior’s Lutheran Cemetery in Kiester with military honors.

John was born on Feb. 18, 1922, in St. Paul, the son of Rudolph and Martha Olson. He graduated from Mechanic Arts High School in St. Paul and the University of Minnesota. Early in World War II John joined the Navy Air Corps and served in the South Pacific with distinction receiving several awards for combat achievements. For a time John operated an art shop in Houston, Texas, and returned to Minnesota in the late 1970s. He worked for Deluxe Check Printers. John acquired a cabin on Knife Lake near Mora, Minn., and greatly enjoyed the fishing and company of friends and family. During that time he met Cathy Obermeyer and they were married on Dec. 22, 1988. John was well known for his artistic talent, vocal and musical instrumental gifts, and indomitable spirit.

A gifted athlete, he devoted himself to golf. Friends, family and fun were more important to John than fortune or fame.

He is survived by his wife, Cathy of Bricelyn; three sons: John Olson of Goleta, Calif., Jim Olson of Ojai, Calif., and Jay Olson of St. Paul; one grandson, Troy; Cathy’s son, Andrew, and daughter, Andrea; and five brothers: Carl, Arnold, Eugene, Kenneth and Daniel.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary Jo (Leonard); and three sisters: Eleanor, Sigrid, and Marguerite.

Memorials are preferred to United Hands Hospice of Faribault County.