Cover photo for Neil Olson's Obituary
Neil Olson Profile Photo
1941 Neil 2020

Neil Olson

June 15, 1941 — November 27, 2020

Detroit Lakes

Neil Edward Olson, 79, of Detroit Lakes, MN passed away on Friday, November 27, 2020 at Essentia Health St.Mary’s Hospital.

Neil Edward Olson was born June 15, 1941 to Roy and Thelma (Alga) Olson at home in McVille, ND. He grew up and attended school in McVille and attended college at NDSCS and graduated with a bachelor of liberal arts degree and then enlisted the United States Navy on March 21, 1961 and honorably discharged on March 20, 1967.

In 1966 he met the love of his life Charlotte Loewen and they were married on March 17th 1967.

He then enlisted in the United States Air National Guard in 1967 and served in Desert Storm retiring with an honorable discharge in 1991.

Neil started his trucking career in 1991 and was an owner driver of his own trucking company Neil Olson and Sons Trucking LTD.

He was Commander of the DAV and active in the VFW and American Legion, and was a troop leader of the Boys Scouts while his sons were members.

Neil was a gentle giant and would do anything for anyone he could. He loved his family and was very proud of all their accomplishments. He was a great mechanic and passed his love for the work on to his sons. He loved watching and helping his sons while they raced and was always in the pits giving advice. He loved his grandchildren and attended all of Steven, Macey and Nickolas’s go cart races every Monday night during the summer

Neil is survived by his wife of 53 years Charlotte; children Norman (Kris), Nathan   (Amy), and Nadine (Edward) Harris. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren, Ein (Lauren) Harris, Steven and Michael (Sam)Olson, Shane (Jenna) Olson, Collin (Sadie) Harris and Macey and Nickolas Olson; and one great granddaughter Lola; sister Becky (Marlyn) Tande; Brother in- law Kenneth Loewen &  Duane Heck; Sister in law Audrey (Skip) Doyle; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Thelma and Roy; grandparents Thea and Edward Alga; brother and sister-in-law Dennis and Annette Loewen; sister-in-law Lois Heck; sister-in-law Marlys Loewen, and brother-in-law Arnold Loewen.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Neil Olson, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Friday, December 4, 2020

10:00 - 11:00 am (Central time)

David-Donehower Funeral Home

609 US-10, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Memorial Service

Friday, December 4, 2020

Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)

David-Donehower Funeral Home

609 US-10, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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