Funeral services for Leslie M. Olson, age 85, of Hartland will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday February 11, 2015 at the Hartland Evangelical Lutheran Church. The Rev. Shawn Stafford will officiate. Interment will be in the Hartland Cemetery, with military honors accorded by members of the American Legion and VFW Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Online Condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.
Leslie died at his home, surrounded by his family on Saturday, February 7, 2015.
Leslie Miller Olson was born in Hartland on August 31, 1929, the son of Gilford and Virginia (Miller) Olson.
He grew up there and graduated from Freeborn High School in 1947. Les was a member of Cross of Glory Lutheran Church during his growing up years, and was currently an active member of the Hartland Evangelical Lutheran Church. He served as an Elder and as a President of the Congregation. He also taught Sunday school. On December 31, 1950, Les was united in marriage to Dolores Ann Lee at the Cross of Glory Church. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Korea from 1951-1952. After his time in the service Les returned to Hartland and went to work for his father’s furniture and funeral business. He also worked for the U.S. Postal service and then started his own business, Olson Excavating. He retired from that business in 2010. Les was a member of the American Legion, the Hartland City Council, and the Hartland Fire Department where he had served as the Fire Chief at one time. His hobbies included running heavy equipment and machinery, singing, and spending time with his girls and grandchildren. He sang in both a barbershop quartet and church choir.Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Dolores; children Nancy (Raymond) Toot of Hartland, Deb (Larry) Flatness of Hartland, Kim (Dave) Peterson of Waseca, Amy Brown and special friend Paul Martinson of Owatonna, and Anna (Ed) Durst of Owatonna; grandchildren Ben Lutgens, Brandon Flatness, Sarah Madson, Andrew Flatness, Jennifer Nace, Ryan Peterson, Travis Peterson, Ali Brown, Kenna Brown, Myranda Shaw, Mason Lohberger, and McKinzy Lohberger; 14 great-grandchildren; sisters Gwen (John) Christensen and Kathy (Duane) Spooner; brother James (Sharon) Olson; and a large, beloved extended family.
Les was preceded in death by his parents, his great-grandson Jack Flatness, and his brother Stanley Olson.