Funeral services for Vernon M. (Vern) Olson of Ellendale, MN, will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at St. Peters Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Richland, MN. Pastor Scott Williams will officiate. Visitation will be held Monday from 4 until 6 p.m. at the Friedrich Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in St. Peters Cemetery, New Richland.
Vern died on Friday, December 14, 2012 at the Owatonna Hospital. He was 66 years of age.
Vernon M. (Vern) Olson was born on November 29, 1946 to Evelyn and Orrin Olson in Waseca, MN.
He attended school in Ellendale. He was in the US Army entering in 1967. Vern was united in marriage to Janice Besser on May 24, 1969. They have been married for 43 years.
He worked for Tony Arnfelt after returning from the Army. He was also employed at Borchard’s Implement. He then went into business opening his own automotive shop called Vern’s Repair. He had this business for 28 years. He also worked for Wholesale Tire for 7 years. He retired 4 years ago due to ongoing COPD and heart problems.
Vern’s greatest activity came later in his life. We bought an Arabian horse called H.T. Shamrock Major. We started showing horses in 2000. We were able to do this for 8 years. Our great niece Mikayla started doing this with Vern. They went on to win and place at many horse shows. Trophies and ribbons were won in abundance. I have to say this was the greatest love of all his hobbies. Major is 25 and still with us.
He truly loved our family which includes Chris and Curt Besser (nephews) Dayna Besser (niece) great nieces Mikayla and Morgan, Star and Tarynn Besser.
Where ever he went he made new friends. He was also blessed with friends that he has had from childhood to today.
He was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws Robert and Rosella Besser and brother in law Kenneth Besser.