Ole Haroldson OLSON
Funeral Services Held At Vang For O.H. Olson
Last rites were held Saturday afternoon in the Aspelund Lutheran church for Ole H. Olson, one of the earliest pioneers of the Vang vicinity, who died February 7, 1950, on the farm where he homesteaded more than 60 years ago. Eighty-three years old at the time of his death, he had lived in the county since 1882.
Rev. John Strand of Grafton offciated at the family services which were held at the home at 1 p.m. and at the funeral at the church at 2 p.m. Burial was in the Vang cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers were Leonard Peterson of Langdon, Carl Tollefson and Manley Tollefson of Osnabrock, Carl Braaten of Walhalla, Lester Peterson of the Mona vicinity.
Born June 6, 1866, in Hallingsdal, Norway, Mr. Olson was the son of Mr. and Hrs. Harold Grona. His mother died while he was a small boy, and when he was about six years old he was adopted in Norway [Possible error. Mother died in Minnesota.] by his uncle, Tollef Tollefson. With Mr. and Mrs. Tollefson, he came to Iowa at the age of six. In 1882 the Tollefson family migrated from Wimeshiek county, Iowa, to Dakota territory where they homesteaded in Hay township of Cavalier county.
Mr. Olson lived with his foster parents until 1887 when he married Nellie Peterson December 20 and filed on his own homestead in Loam township.
While a farmer he became one of the first owners and operators of the big steam threshing rigs of pioneer days, and continued for many years to thresh for himself and his neighbors, changing in later years from the steam rigs to tractor-power.
He was actively engaged in farming for over a half century and lived until his death on his home place. He retired about ten years ago when his son, Ole K. Olson, took over the farm. Despite his age he was in relatively good health until six weeks before his death, which occurred at 8:35 a.m. Tuesday of last week.
Survivors include three sons and five daughters. The sons are Herman O. of Spalding, Sask., Emil and Ole K. of Vang; the daughters are Mrs. Alfred Larson and Mrs. Edgar Mostad of Polson, Mont., Mrs. Ray Soby of Bremerton, Washington, Mrs. Viola Stavran of Portland, Ore., and Mrs. Martin Olson of Vang. Forty grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren also survive.
He was preceded in death by his wife, who passed away June 17, 1942; two daughters, Mrs. Ethyl May Boe, who died last January at Dalton, Sask., and Mrs. Mabel Knutson, who died October 2, 1931, and two sons, Eddie and Alvin, who died in infancy.
He had two sisters, Mrs. Johanna Gilbertson and Mrs. Annie Andreson of Eau Claire, Wisc., both of whom survive.
Though Mr. Olson's surviving chilren, who live at a distance, were unable to come for the funeral, all except Mrs. Stavran, were able to get to Vang to visit him during his illness. His sister, Mrs. Gilbertson, was also able to visit him during this time.
Active in community affairs, Mr. Olson served for many years as a supervisor and assessor in Loam township, and was also a director on the school board.
When Mr. Olson became a member of the Cavalier County Pioneers association, he recalled that when he came as a boy of 16 with the Tollefsons to Hay township, there were no settlers any further west than their homestead, and all their trips to a town had to be made by team to either Bathgate or St. Thomas.