Ordean Thomas “Deanie” Olson

Ordean Thomas “Deanie” Olson, age 80, of Harmony, Minn., died Saturday, March 18, 2017, peacefully in his sleep in Mabel, where he had made his new home at the Meadows of Mabel Assisted Living for the last six weeks .

Ordean was born July 17, 1936 in a stable in Mabel, above a blacksmith’s shop, to Martin and Belle (Opsahl) Olson.  He attended the Harmony Public Schools.  He worked for Pederson Brothers in Harmony and then for 28 years at Harmony Agri Services.  On November 6, 1971 he married the first love of his life, Alvera Turnmire. While living in Harmony, they raised five children.  Alvera passed away of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s) on October 20, 1992. Dean was a member of the Greenfield Lutheran Church in Harmony.  He enjoyed fishing, boating, hunting, camping, feeding the birds and squirrels, and feeding Naomi’s chickens. He also enjoyed dancing, going for coffee and shaking dice at Tj’s/Sarah’s Coffee Shop in Canton, and taking drives to visit his grandchildren. He also enjoyed going to the cabin in the Big Woods and telling big hunting stories,

Ordean is survived by four children; Tommyjohn (Valerie) Erickson of Clermont, Iowa; Tracielee (Michelle) Erickson of Rushford, Minn.; Wendi (Mike) Dolton of Racine, Minn.; and Barry Olson of Postville, Iowa; 14 grandchildren: Jeshila Nolte and Brandon Riddle; Jacob, Matilyn, and Gabriel Erickson; Katelyn, Anika, Cole Erickson, and Lucas Clark; Naomi, Emma, and Axel Dolton; Brodie Olson and Mariah Durham; and a great-grandson Cashton Nolte; sisters Carmella “Carla” Erickson of Harmony, Phyllis Gregerson of Mabel, and Daphne Lawson of Jacksonville, Fla.;  sister-in-law Janeen Olson of Harmony, brother-in-law James Austin of Harmony, daughter-in-law Cindy Erickson of Stewartville, and many nieces and nephews.

Ordean was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Belle; his wife, Alvera; son Billyjoe Erickson; twin brother OrDon, brother LaVanne, and brother Danford; sister Betty Willert, sisters-in-law Junice Olson and Ada Austin, and brothers-in-law Al Willert, John Erickson, Roger Lawson, and Kenneth Gregerson; and fishing and dancing partner, and the second love of his life, Judy Stenbeck.

Funeral services will be at the Greenfield Lutheran Church in Harmony at 2 p.m. Friday, March 31, with Rev. Rolf Svanoe officiating.  Visitation will be held Friday from 12-2 p.m. prior to the service.  Burial will be after the service in the Greenfield Lutheran Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to the Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel.