Robert J. Olson

Robert J. Olson, 68 of Minnewaukan, ND passed away on Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at Sanford Health Center in Fargo, ND. Funeral Services for Robert will be held on Friday, April 15, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at the Trinity Free Lutheran Church, Minnewaukan with Reverend Lu Mathiason officiating and music by Claudette Carlson and Fay Huffman. Bob will be laid to rest in the Minnewaukan Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday, April 14th from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. and will continue on Friday at the church from 12:00 noon until time of service. Pall Bearers for Bob will be Jared McKinnon, Darin McKinnon, Bryan Engebretson, Curtis Engebretson, Gary King, Mitch King, Darcie Whisman, Errin Ambers, Elvis Thumb, and Brian Lysne. Honorary Bearers are all of Robert’s many friends and neighbors. Robert James, son of Morris and Shirley (Alexander) Olson was born on April 8, 1947 in Rugby, ND. He grew up in the Knox, Leeds and Minnewaukan areas. He attended elementary school in Knox and graduated from Minnewaukan High School with the class of 1965. He was a baptized and confirmed member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Minnewaukan. At a young age, Bob was gifted with the ability as a first class mechanic. He used that talent working for area farmers as a farm hand and mechanic and for many years he enjoyed working with his sister Barb and her husband David on their family farm. Due to increasing health problems he was forced to retire but remained in the loving care of the Ambers’ family. Robert was a fan of anything with a motor; muscle cars, stock cars, restoring classic cars including the body work that needed to be done and he helped many a youngster with their derby cars. But more importantly, Robert was a mentor and teacher to so many young people in the community and his extended family. There were frequent “Mountain Dew” parties at the garage where talk of engines, cars and pickups and solving the world’s problems were the dominate conversations. Good conversation was frequently mixed with a competitive game of Rummy or King’s Corner with nieces and other dear family and friends. When weather permitted, Bob was outside doing his best to decrease the gopher population of Benson County. Robert may not have had children of his own, but he was such a positive role model and adopted father to many young people in the area. He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him. He is survived by his loving family. His mother, Shirley Olson, Devils Lake; sister Barb and her husband David Ambers, Minnewaukan; nieces Errin Ambers, Deb (Brad) Eback, Jennifer (Myron) Halvorson; great nieces and great nephews Marissa, Emily and Landen Eback and Preston and Christian Halvorson; brother-in-law James Ripplinger, Devils Lake and aunts Ruth Alexander and Donna Striefel both of Devils Lake. “Robert also had many cousins in North Dakota and Arizona. Extended Ambers family; family friends: the Engebretson, McKinnon, and King families.” He was preceded in death by his Dad, Morris; sister Anna Ripplinger and by close family friends Sherlye King, Dustin King and Marie Engebretson. ** Robert’s family wishes to extend their thanks to the staff, residents, and faithful visitors of the Angel Heights wing of the Good Samaritan Center in Devils Lake for their friendship and care. The family also wishes to thank the ICU staff at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks for their medical expertise and care.