Good Bye Grandpa Bernie

Last Tuesday night my Grandpa Bernie passed away. He had a stroke last year and hadn't been doing very well ever since then. Luckily when Matt and I went to MN in January we had a chance to say our goodbyes. On Thursday Mason and I headed to MN for the funeral. My entire extended family made it to Brainerd for the funeral and although we were all sad it was good to all be together.

Bernard C. Olson

Bernard C. "Bernie" Olson, 89, of Brainerd, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on Wednesday, April 7, 2010, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village, Brainerd, Minn. He was born Aug. 8, 1920, in Daggett Brook Township, Minn., to Charles and Lois (Anderson) Olson.

Bernie served for four years in the U.S. Navy aboard a sub-chaser in the Pacific theater in WW II. Upon being honorably discharged he returned to Brainerd where he met and married Verna and they have been married for 62 years.

Bernie was a lifelong resident of Daggett Brook Township. He was a dairy farmer for 23 years. Upon retiring he began his next career working as a construction carpenter for eight years. He was a member of the Carpenters Local Union No. 87. He was also a member of the VFW Post No. 1647.
Bernie's life was fulfilled by being active. He loved being outdoors and working in the yard. He loved to hunt and fish with his boys. He enjoyed spending his winters in Texas, playing golf, pool and cards. He will be lovingly missed by his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by wife, Verna, Brainerd, Minn.; sons, Douglas (Connie) Olson, Brainerd, Minn., Curtis (Jan) Olson, Nisswa, Minn.; grandchildren, Tim Olson, Matt Olson, Jess McGurn, Cory Olson, Jake Olson and Brittaney Olson; two great-grandchildren, Jackson McGurn and Mason McGurn; sisters, Helen Tougas, Fort Ripley, Minn., Lorraine Thienes, Brainerd, Minn.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 9, 2010, at 11 a.m. at the Bethany Good Samaritan Village Chapel in Brainerd, Minn., with Pastor Barb Christenson officiating. Immediately following the service, lunch will be served at the VFW Post No. 1647 in Brainerd. Interment will be in Pine Tree Cemetery at a later date.

Arrangements are with the Halvorson-Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Brainerd.