Norman Gustav Olsen, 90, of Staples, died April 22, 2011, at the Lakewood Health System Hospital in Staples.

A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 30, at the Faith Lutheran Church in Staples. Burial with military honors were held at 2 p.m. April 28 at the Minnesota State Veteran’s Cemetery, north of Little Falls, at Camp Ripley. Arrangements were with the Cremation Society of Minnesota in Brooklyn Park.

Norman was born Feb. 11, 1921, in Albert Lea to Carl E. and Martine (Jensen) Olsen. He was baptized April 21, 1935, at Calvary Baptist Church in Albert Lea and confirmed Dec. 14, 1947, at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea.

Norman graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1939 and junior college in 1941. He served in the United States Army in Great Britain and France during World War II, as a chaplain’s assistant. He married Jeanette Lucille (Vogt) Olsen in Minneapolis on March 9, 1946. Norman worked in sales in Albert Lea and St. Cloud. In 1965. he and Jeanette became owners of the Team Electronics franchise in La Crosse, Wis. They retired in 1980, spending summers at their Lake Shamineau home and winters in Texas. During this time Norm worked at the Motley School for several years. In 2001, they moved to Staples. Norm has been a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Staples for 30 years, serving on the church council, helping with “Once Was New” sales and working on the church building crew. He served as a Motley Lion, La Crosse Rotarian and the Y’s Men’s Club in Albert Lea. He was also a lifetime member of the VFW.

Norm enjoyed sports, games, fishing, woodworking, music, camping, bird watching, crossword puzzles and especially spending time with family and friends.

Norman is survived by his wife; three daughters: Debra Olsen of Onalaska, Wis.; Marcia (Mike) Krueger, of Eden Prairie; Cheryl (Robert) Koll of Motley; one daughter-in-law, Lisa Olsen Kish of Mt. Horeb, Wis.; one son, Gregory Olsen of LaCrosse, Wis.; 14 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; one sister, Marrietta Hylle of St. Paul; one sister-in-law, Helen Olsen of Winona; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Steven Jay; six sisters: Evelyn, Dorothy, Shirley, Edna, Inez and Helene; three brothers: Elmer, Carlyle and Alvin.

Memorials are preferred to Faith Lutheran Church, Staples.