Fredrick Alfred Olsen

Frederick Alfred Olsen, 86, died in his own home on February 8th, 2011. He was born to Anton Alfred Olsen and Agnes Margarethe Reitan, both of whom were immigrants from Norway. They met and married while living in the Northwest; his father a sailor and his mother a nanny for a Snohomish family. Fred was their only child. He grew up on a four acre "stump" ranch in N.E Seattle and attended a relatively new Maple Leaf Elementary School. A GI Bill education after the 2nd World War made it possible for him to attend and graduate from the University of Washington, the Stout Institute, and the Ohio State University. After teaching at Ohio State University for several years Fred accepted a position at Western Washington College of Education where he served as a professor, in the technology department, until retirement in 1993. Teaching, playing handball, coaching W.W.U's handball team, clearing/burning brush, building rock walls, crackling fires in the fireplace insert, eating outside on his deck overlooking Bellingham Bay and tending his roses/fruit trees provided him with pleasure. However, he was most passionate about architecture. He designed and constructed three homes in his lifetime. He began with a frame structure in Bothell, followed by a used brick house on the southside of Bellingham where he resided for 48 years, and culminated with the building of a log home affectionately known as 'Cedarsted' in the Geneva area of Lake Whatcom. He is survived by his wife Clara of 63 years, son Fred ( Sandy), daughter Chris, grandson Scott (Erin) and great grandson Quentin. At his request, the advent of his death should not precipitate any formal observation. Should you desire to reminisce over his acquaintance with stories, whether true or false, take a friend to dinner. Please sign the Book of Memories, and leave your condolences for the family at www.JernsFuneralChapel.net Takk for alt! Jerns Funeral Chapel & On-site Crematory Bellingham, WA