Andrew Olsen

ANDREW HANS OLSEN was born April 4, 1917 to Chris A. and Christine (Drake) Olsen on the family’s farm in Shelburne Township near Florence, Minnesota. He attended country school and then helped on the family farm until he enrolled at West Central School of Agriculture in Morris, Minnesota in 1937. He graduated in 1939 and returned to farming. On July 18, 1946 Andrew married Vivian Fuhrmann in Balaton, Minnesota. Their union was blessed with five children and 64 years of life together. The couple operated a dairy farm in Shelburne Township where they raised their five children and farmed until they retired in 1982 and moved to Tyler, Minnesota. In the later years Andy and Vivian resided at Danebod Village in Tyler, and most recently at the Sunrise Manor, where Andrew died on Sunday, January 30, 2011 at the age of 93 years, 9 months, and 26 days.

Andrew was a member of the Tyler Alliance Church, where he served on the church board and was treasurer for several years. He was instrumental in the purchase of the congregation’s parsonage on Tyler Street. He was a member of the AMPI (Associated Milk Producers, Inc.) board. He faithfully followed the fortunes of the Minnesota Twins and the Minnesota Vikings. He enjoyed time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Andrew is lovingly remembered by his wife, Vivian; his five children: Dorothy (Dan) Petersen of Owatonna, MN and their children Teri (Patrick) Steckelberg and Melissa Petersen, Roger (Pam) Olsen of Shoreview, MN and their children Erica Olsen, Julie (Noah) Bock, and Karla Olsen, LeRoy (Beth) Olsen of Tyler, MN and their children Matthew Olsen and Samantha (Dustin) Remme, Dale (Chris) Olsen of Las Vegas, NV and their children Andrew Olsen and KC Ryan Olsen, and Doris (Jes) Olsen of Henderson, NV and their son Gregory Olsen. He is also survived by nine great-grandchildren: Spencer, Logan, Deacon, Roman, Olivia, Ethan, Lincoln, Lainey, and Berean. Also surviving is a brother, James Olsen of Gresham, OR; and many other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers John, Harold, Lawrence, Max, Daniel, and Nathan Olsen, and sisters Mollie Peterson and Grace Fitzpatrick.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Ridgeview Hospice in Tyler or the donor’s choice.