John Olson

John "Jack" Olson, 86, Wahpeton, ND, passed away Monday, December 16, 2013 at St. Francis Healthcare Campus, Breckenridge, MN. The Funeral Mass will be 2:00 PM, Thursday, December 19, at St. John's Catholic Church, Wahpeton. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 PM to 8 PM with a 5:30 PM Prayer Vigil at St. John's Catholic Church. There also will be visitation one hour before the service at the church on Thursday. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Wahpeton, at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton.

Jack was born June 17, 1927 at Breckenridge, MN, the son of Melvin and Anna (Connelly) Olson. He graduated from Wahpeton High School and served in the US Navy. After the service he returned to Wahpeton and attended Bradley University, Peoria, IL, in watchmaking. He returned to Wahpeton and went into business with his father at Olson Jewelers. Jack was united in marriage to Patricia Stephens on Oct. 9, 1950 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Breckenridge, MN. The family resided in Wahpeton where Jack owned and managed Olson Jewelers. His son Ed later started working with Jack, for the third generation of Olsons operating the business. Pat passed away Nov. 29, 2010. Jack continued living in Wahpeton, moving to Siena Court in 2012.

Jack was a member of St. John's Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, Elks, Eagles, American Legion, and VFW. He served on the school boards of St. John's Elementary School and the Wahpeton School System. For 35 years Jack played in area bands, including the Tempo Kings. He enjoyed traveling with his wife Pat, dancing, and golfing.

Jack is survived by his six sons and two daughters: Stephen (Diane) Olson, Harwood, ND; Edward (Sandra) Olson, Wahpeton; Jerry Olson, Fargo, ND; Scott (Hanneke) Olson, Santa Clarita, CA; Nancy (Kevin) Donnay, Baxter, MN; John (Jane) Olson, West Fargo, ND; Susan (Dan) Ellingson, Breckenridge; Mark (Bonnie) Olson, Hobart, IN; 19 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; two brothers: Kermit Olson, International Falls, MN; Wally Olson, Auke Bay, AK; and his sister, Valeria King, Wahpeton.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Pat, his brother Melvin 'Willy", his sister, Mary Mercer, and his granddaughter, Karen Olson.