Craig “Oly” Olson, age 64, of Fairmont, Minn., formerly of Mabel, passed away Friday, April 7, 2017 at his home.
Craig was born January 30, 1953 in Spring Grove, Minn., to Orvel and Rosie (Treangen) Olson. In 1971, he graduated from Mabel-Canton High School. He then attended Winona Technical School for Sales and Business. On April 27, 1974 he married Linda Amdahl at St. Olaf Catholic Church in Mabel. They later divorced. Oly had several careers throughout his life. These included: dairy farming, a realtor for Key Reality in Winona, manager of Sahaptin Farms in Winona, driving delivery truck for Pugsly, Gross IGA in Mabel, co-owner of Hometown Foods in Mabel, a meat manager for Econofoods in Rochester, Cresco, and Stewartville; and was a salesman for Affiliated Foods and later, Mason Brothers before he retired.
Oly was a member of the St. Olaf Catholic Church in Mabel. He was a former member of Mabel Fire Department, Mabel Business Association, Mabel EDA, and the Rawhide Ropers. He served on the Mabel-Canton School Board, helped on the “Chain Gang” for football games. He loved his horses, dogs, cheering for his Dallas Cowboys, and especially meeting new people.
Craig is survived by his two sons, Justin (Cassie) of Mabel and Logan (Michelle) of Fountain City, Wis.; five grandchildren: Justin, Alaina, Jackson, Alyvia, and Colton; two sisters: Sandra (Bernie) Hurley of Harmony, Minn., and Cheryl (Duane) McDougall of Glencoe, Minn.; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two nieces, and his father and mother-in-law, Bud and Dorothy Amdahl.
Funeral mass will be 11 a.m. Thursday, April 13, 2017 at St. Olaf Catholic Church in Mabel, with Father Matt Fasnacht officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in rural Mabel. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at the St. Olaf Catholic Church, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. and one hour prior to services. The Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel is assisting the family with arrangements.