Melvin L. Olson

Melvin L. Olson, age 91 of Soldiers Grove, died Thursday, October 24, 2013. Melvin Leonard Olson, 91, of rural Soldiers Grove, passed away at home October 24, 2013. He was born December 28, 1921, at home in Utica Township, Crawford County., WI, the son of Lars and Carrie (Hanserud) Olson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Mt. Sterling Lutheran Church, where he was a life long member. He married Myra Emogene Fortney on March 19, 1947, at the Franklin Church Parsonage. They enjoyed 62 years of marriage before Myra died June 26, 2009. He loved to farm in Johnstown Valley, which he did all of his life. He had a life-long love of sports. He could tell you about players all over the state and where they went to college to play. He is survived by two daughters, Connie (Rick) Swenson, Soldiers Grove, and Mary (John) Hunter, Madison, WI; grandchildren, Ryan (Emily) Swenson, Dodgeville, WI, Kurt (Jesse) Swenson, Soldiers Grove, Corie (Chris) Aschliman, Belleville, WI, Kristy (Ed, Jr.) Szelagowski, Westfield, WI; great grandchildren, Zoe, Ty, Nora, Kate, Jack, and Aubree; a sister, Ruth Fortney, and brother-in-law, Irvin Dregne. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Myra, a great-grandson, Griffin Swenson; brothers, Thomas and Arnold; sisters, Borghild Burkum and Lillian Pedersen. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m.Thursday, October 31, 2013, at the Mt Sterling Lutheran Church. Pastor Nile Sandeen will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 10 until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials are requested to Mt Sterling Lutheran Church or Vernon Memorial Hospice. The Vosseteig Funeral Home of Gays Mills is assisting the family.