Orlin Olson

Orlin Maurice Olson, 90, of Fort Dodge passed away peacefully at Paula Baber Hospice House on Wednesday, July 31st. He was surrounded by his loving family.

A memorial Service will be held at St. Olaf Lutheran Church on August 7th: Visitation starting at 10 a.m. and

service to follow starting at 11am. Orlin will be interred at North Lawn Cemetery Laufersweiler Funeral Home is serving the family.

Orlin is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years, Mildred “Millie” Olson. Also surviving him are his children, Ellen Olson (Dick Williams) of Boulder, CO, Karen (Randall) Stoeckel of Minneapolis, MN, and David (Bre) Olson of Fort Dodge, along with grandchildren, Lindsey (Brandon) Dacey and their children, Alivia and Bennett, Michael Olson (Megan Tucker) and her son, Calvin, Jackson Stoeckel, Hunter Olson and Reece Olson. He was blessed with a large extended family that he loved and cherished dearly.

Preceding him in death was his son, Mark, his parents, Rudy and Bernice Olson, and his siblings: Colleen (Kenneth) Abens, Mavis (Elwood) Knutson, Stan (Bev) Olson, Randy Olson, and nephews Skip Olson, Mike Olson, and Keith Abens.

Orlin was born in Bode, Iowa, on November 7, 1933. He graduated from Bode High School in 1951. He married Mildred Jensen in October of 1954 and was drafted into the Navy within three short months. He completed his service at the Naval Auxiliary Air Station at Ream Field, near San Diego at the end of 1957.

After he was discharged, Orlin and Millie returned to Fort Dodge. He worked in several positions at Hormel before he began farming full-time. He also acquired his real estate license and worked for Egemo Realty and Leffler Realty. In the early 80’s he developed Hidden Valley, a community of beautiful, wooded lots overlooking a creek bed west of Fort Dodge. He was committed to creating wildlife habitat and was recognized by Pheasants Forever for his contributions. He was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church and served on the Foundation Board for years. His interests were diverse: lake life, fishing, boating, cars, woodworking, furniture making, and carpentry.

Memorial Contributions may be directed to St. Olaf Lutheran Church: Mark Olson Scholarship Fund, or the Paula Baber Hospice House.