Ted “Teddy” Edwin Olson, age 93, passed away peacefully with family present on Wednesday March 12, 2025. He entered hospice care at Friendship Village in Bloomington, Minn., in January 2025.
He was born April 14, 1931, in rural St. Charles, Minn., to Reuben and Bernadette (Harcey) Olson. He had one younger brother, David.
The family farmed near Clyde. After graduating from St. Charles high school in 1948, he attended the Rochester Technical College and Florida State University in Tallahassee, Fla., where he earned his teaching degree.
He entered the Army on July 15, 1954, and was stationed in Japan, and then was honorably discharged on June 29, 1956.
In 1958 he would buy a farm in Fremont Township, borrowing money from his future wife. He met Wanda Warnes while both were teachers at the Southern Agricultural School in Waseca, Minn.
Teddy married Wanda on December 19, 1959, in Stephen, Minn. They would go on to have two sons, Steven and Charles.
He would later go on and attend the University of Minnesota and receive a Master’s degree.
He was a junior high guidance counselor and science teacher at several schools. He had short tours with Pine Island, Winona, and Red Wing schools prior to moving the family to Fridley, Minn., and working in the Moundsview school district at the Highview and Edgewood schools.
He would “retire” from teaching to the Fremont Township farm in 1991. A few years later Wanda would retire from the University of Minnesota and join him on the farm.
He was a long-time member of North Prairie Lutheran Church and for decades, served on committees for the cemetery and foundation.
For many years Teddy served on the Fremont Town Board, was an election judge, and served as a temporary census worker.
He very much enjoyed attending plays at the Commonweal Theatre in Lanesboro and the Chanhassen Dinner Theater, as well as performances of the Chatfield Brass Band in Pilot Mound.
He cherished time spent with his family during all the holidays and birthday celebrations, along with conversational time spent with numerous good friends and close-by neighbors.
Teddy is survived by his two sons, Steven Olson (Patricia Olson) and Charles Olson (Vicki Blanchette); his four grandchildren: Erik (Savannah) Olaphson, Aubrey Olson, Jessica Olson (Mike Jameson), and Ben Olson (Mikayla Woebke). He is also survived by one great-grandson, (Viggo Olaphson).
He was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Wanda Olson; his brother, David Olson; and his parents, Reuben and Bernadette Olson.
A visitation will be held on Friday, March 21 from 4-7 p.m. at the Hoff Funeral home in St. Charles, Minn. There will also be a one-hour visitation on Saturday, March 22 at 10 a.m. at North Prairie Lutheran Church in rural Lanesboro, Minn.
The funeral will be on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 11 a.m. at North Prairie Lutheran Church. Following the service interment will take place at the North Prairie Cemetery, with Color Guard. Lunch will follow in the church basement.
The family is working with Hoff Funeral Home on the funeral arrangements. Memorials are not expected; if desired, they can be directed to the North Prairie Church Cemetery.
Leave a Reply