Danie Olson

Did you meet Dan?

Father, Pastor, Fireman,

Teacher, Son, or Baseball Fan?

Story reading, Elder-leading,

Grandpa gentle as a lamb?

Spreading laughter with a boom

Writing in a quiet room?

Husband to our Julie Anne

In what way did you know Dan?

Born at the military hospital at Camp Rucker, Ozark, Alabama to Private Leonard Ferdinand Olson and Mrs. Betty Ann Olson (Lisell). Dan took pride in growing up in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. He was the oldest of four children and took big brother-ing seriously. During his youth he developed a love for sport and an ear for music. As a young man Dan spent time acting in plays with the Saint Paul Civic Opera Association and performed in roles in The Sound of Music, The King and I and The Music Man. He enjoyed a wide circle of friends through First Baptist Church and spent summers camping and waterskiing on the many lakes of Minnesota.

Dan graduated from White Bear Lake High School in 1971. He joined the Evangelism Corps in 1973 and spent time volunteering for churches and sharing the good news of Jesus’ salvation with many. From an early age, Dan felt called to a life of ministry and his experience in the EC galvanized this into action. He was accepted into Vancouver Bible College in British Columbia, Canada in 1974 and completed a degree in Theological Studies In 1977. He later completed a Master’s of Divinity from Bethel Seminary in 1983.

Dan’s passion for ministerial care was present throughout his life and led him to work in churches as a youth pastor and a pastor. He later volunteered in church leadership roles as a deacon and most recently as an elder. Dan was particularly fond of the Old Testament. He was known in his preaching for his ability to bring stories to life through knowledge and understanding (and sometimes his appearance). Dan’s firm belief in pastoral care through community engagement led him to volunteer with the District 11 fire department for 6 years.

In 1990 Dan made a step into a new career with South County Fire/Fire District 11 as an EMT and Firefighter. He struggled with the idea of leaving ministry but found his passion for teaching, mentoring and serving others could be put to good use both at the station and on scene as he sought to connect with and comfort the families of those who required medical service. He retired at the rank of Captain after a 29 year career.

Dan was married to Julie Anne Christiansen on March 5, 1977 and together they raised five children. During their 44 years of marriage Dan deeply valued his responsibilities as a husband, a son, a son-in-law, and a father. As a husband and father he worked hard to provide a safe, stable, supportive, and loving home. He passed along his love of story, sense of humor, booming laughter, love for trivial knowledge, desire for understanding, passion for history, and curiosity to his children. We fondly remember hearing him read The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia as bedtime stories. We remember long hours of conversation by the fire with the stars alight. We greatly enjoyed his sense of humor, his laughter, and spending time retelling favorite stories. Dan had a thirst for knowledge, origins and histories. He had a

particular interest in the history and genealogy of his extended family and took time to investigate, record and care for the stories of his relations.

He was known by his 8 grandchildren as a “great grandpa.” Despite the geographical distance Dan was active and involved in his grandchildren’s lives. He had a weekly-or-more presence through FaceTime chats and story times. He was “made” to be a grandpa and was filled with love and enthusiasm for his grandchildren. He was forever snuggling and tickling babies and toddlers, getting giggles from all ages, planting noble ideas, and reading stories to the spectrum of ages and stages. Dan engaged in meaningful conversation with his grandchildren and was ever watchful for “teaching moments” as he held court with their impressionable hearts, especially the teenagers.

Dan was preceded in death by his sister Gail. He is survived by his parents, Leonard and Betty; his siblings, Julie (Tom) and Chris (MaryAnn); his wife, Julie; his children, Shawna (Blaine), Andrew (Brenda), Brent, Erik (Ashley), and Jayna; and his Grandchildren, Diego, Truen, Jamie, Eliah, Eliza, Otto, Willem, and Redden.

In all he did Dan strived to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly. We, his family, are deeply grateful for the time we were given with him and we are deeply grieved from our loss. We know that though he was not ready to leave, for Dan, to live was Christ and therefor to die was to gain. We look forward to seeing him further up and further in.

A funeral service will be held for his family, but we look forward to a Celebration of Life with Dan’s friends, colleagues, and community at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, his family requests donations be made to the Warlick and Carter families via Cedarhome Baptist Church: both of whom are supporting young children experiencing leukemia. Donations can be made in one of two ways:

1) Through the church website (https://www.cedarhome.org/give) via the “Sonshine Benevolence Fund”. Please leave a comment that it is for “Dan’s Memorial”.

2) A check or money can be mailed to Cedarhome Baptist Church. 29000 68th Ave. NW, Stanwood, WA 98292.