Marlan Olson

Marlan Olson, age 68, of Gonvick, MN, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday (October 17th) at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, MN. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday (October 22nd) at Samhold Lutheran Church in Gonvick with the Rev. Michael Giese officiating. Interment will be in Salem Lutheran Cemetery, rural Oklee, MN at a later date. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service on Sunday (October 21st) at the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home in Fosston. There will also be reviewal for one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church. Military rites will be conducted by the Gonvick American Legion Post #304 and Marlan's brother, Clifford Olson. Arrangements are with the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Fosston and any messages of condolence may be sent at carlinhoialmen.com. Marlan Elroy Olson was born on February 23, 1944 in Fosston, Minnesota to parents Ingvald and Ruth (Kingsland) Olson. He grew up in Oklee, Minnesota and graduated from Oklee High School in 1962. He entered the United States Marine Corps on September 3, 1963 and served overseas during the Vietnam War. He received his honorable discharge on September 1, 1967 and returned to Oklee. Marlan was united in marriage to Marge Zimmer on October 7, 1967 in Sidney, Montana. After their marriage, they lived for a short time in Minneapolis before settling in Gonvick. Marlan went to work as a cattle hauler for his brother, George, for several years. He then worked for Northern Pipeline for five years and spent the remainder of his working years as an over the road truck driver (owner/operator). He traveled through a majority of the states and for several years he had his wife, Marge, by his side.He was an expert when it came to history, specifically when speaking of wars and politics, and constantly kept his family and friends properly educated with his abundance of knowledge.Marlan's love for music has always been clearly visible. He was a true country music fan, but would always "rock out", especially in his truck and with his grandchildren, to anything that had a beat. He always had the greatest dance moves and swept everyone off their feet.He was a member of Samhold Lutheran Church and the Gonvick American Legion Post #304. He liked driving truck, riding snowmobile, cutting wood and was a dedicated Minnesota Vikings fan. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.   Survivors include his loving wife of 45 years, Marge, of Gonvick; two children, Mitch (Vicki) Olson of Annandale, MN, and Melissa (Darin) Maruska of Big Lake, MN; six grandchildren, Brooke Maruska, Cole Olson, Morgan Olson, Lindsay Maruska, Julia Olson, and Trevor Maruska. Siblings, Hansine Greek of Camarilla, CA, George (Ardelle) of Oklee, Clifford (Mary) of Thornton, CO, Norman (Joy) of Harwood, ND, Ivy Hahn of St. Cloud, MN, Amy Olson of Rural Hall, NC, and Sylvia (Gary) Munter of Fosston; sister-in-law, Marian Olson of McIntosh; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and his special pet, Molly. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Erling, and Alfred (and his wife, Leslie); brother-in-law, Jerry Greek and three nephews.Honorary Pallbearers will be Marlan's grandchildren and Howard Krossen, Roger Hoshal, Brad Holm, Don Ducote, Albert Graftaas, Dick Maple, and his many friends and trucker buddies. Active Pallbearers will be Curtis Olson, Dave Olson, Larry Olson, Cole Olson, Rod Greek, and Bruce Peterson.