Russell Olson age 84 of Clarissa, passed away on Sunday, October 31, 2021, with his best friends by his side.
Russell Duane Olson was born August 7, 1937 and spent most of his childhood on the farm north of Clarissa. Russell graduated from Clarissa High School in May of 1955 and left for Fort Carlson, CO September 2, 1955 to begin Basic Training. He continued AIT in Fort Chaffee, OK and Seattle, WA. In the winter of 1956 Russell boarded a troop transporter ship bound for Camp Jecelin, Korea where he served 16 months in combat. In August of 1958 he returned home to register in the Reserves to fulfill his four-year service duty.
In 1959 Russell moved to downtown Minneapolis where he worked at the Normandy Hotel and began taking courses in investment planning. With his newfound passion and talent for investments in stocks, he moved to Everett, WA in 1965 and found employment with Boeing, working on the newest planes, 747’s. Russell found out Boeing was not the place for him and worked for some local grocery stores until he was hired at EA Nord Wood Company assembling door and window casements. For ten years Russell enjoyed every day being employed by such a great company. In 1997 Russell moved home to Clarissa to care for his mother Gladys.
Russell’s life was not an easy one. He suffered from debilitating migraines at a very young age that often left him weak. He was a very private man, that liked routine, a freshly mowed lawn, classic cars (1954 Packard most of all) and could identify most makes and models, he restored many hit and miss engines, created his own sun dial on the basement floor of his home and could tell you when/where the sun would rise and set. He loved word searches and following the market but most of all he loved his Central Todd County Care Center Staff Family and friends, the resident cats and his church. If you were lucky enough to get to know Russell, you were lucky enough. As Russell would say, if the good Lord is willing and the creek don’t rise, I’ll see you later alligator. Much love my old goat!
Russell is greeted in heaven by his Father Einar and Mother Gladys, twin brother Ronald, sister Judith and many aunts and uncles. He leaves behind, his favorite cat Panda Bear, his CTCCC family, his niece Andrea Reese, husband Erick, son Wyatt (15), son Griffin (13) and daughter Skarlett (5) all of Warrenton, VA ; Sister in law Marlys Olson of Vadnais Heights, cousins Rhonda Kekke, husband Ken of Coralville, IA and Charolette Nordstrom, husband Henrik of Minneapolis, MN.
Memorials preferred to the Central Todd County Care Center of Clarissa, MN or Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church of Clarissa, MN. Funeral Services will be Monday November 8, 2:00pm with visitation one hour before at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church 312 Hwy 71 E, Clarissa, MN. Interment at Zion Cemetery of Clarissa.
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