Verdon Ordell Olson was born June 15, 1936, at home in Amherst, Minn., to Thomas and Edna (Opsahl) Olson.
The family later moved to Harmony, Minn. Verdon attended the Harmony School. He moved to Austin, Minn., when he was 16. Verdon worked in the construction field and at the Hormel plant till his retirement of 30 plus years.
He married Mona Sabanish on September 20, 1958. They made their home in Austin with their three children. He was a member of Wilmington Lutheran Church in Spring Grove.
Verdon was a quiet man with an inner strength from his faith in our God above. He treated people with kindness and gentleness and love. He had a heart of gold.
He enjoyed the simpler things in life; fishing the trout streams, camping, hunting those white tails and pheasants and winter snowmobiling with friends and family. He was also a foster parent for 20 years.
In 1992, he found his little slice of heaven in Spring Grove; Bee Creek, it wasn’t much at first. Verdon stated it had good bones to work with, and they did make it into their little slice of heaven. They moved into their home in 1997, where he found peace and enjoyment even through his final days. He passed away on July 27, 2023, peacefully at home with family at his side, at the age of 87.
Verdon is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mona Olson; children Brenda Johnson (Dave Nordick), Jeffery and Patty Olson, Tammy Saukko, adopted son Aidan Olson, and foster son Jesse Haugen. He has seven grandchildren: Kendall (Taylor) Hansen, Kyle Diggins, Tiffany (Tom) Haley, Travis Olson, Dustin (Jamie) Saukko, Ashley Saukko, and Taylor (Marrisa) Saukko; 16 great-grand children and four great-great-grandchildren and his little dog Daisy who would sit on his lap and eat the leftover cookie crumbs that fell.
Verdon was proceeded in death by his parents Thomas and Edna Olson, sisters Jarla Johnson and Gloria Olson, brother Dwayne Olson, and son-in-law Joey Johnson.
Verdon’s celebration of life was held Mon. July 31, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Wilmington Lutheran Church in Spring Grove, with Pastor Lane Zaffke officiating.
Friends called from 10-11 a.m. on Monday, at the church.
In memory of Verdon, please donate to your local church, Wilmington Lutheran, or your favorite charity.
Roble Funeral Home of Spring Grove assisted the family with arrangements.