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Sigurd Olson Obituary
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Jan. 10 at the Douglas Community United Methodist Church. All who attend are encouraged to share a favorite or memorable moment with Sig. A potluck will be held afterward in this celebration of his life.
Born Sept. 15, 1923, to Sigurd F. Olson and Elizabeth Uhrenholdt Olson in Ely, Minn., he grew up in the canoe country of northern Minnesota before enlisting in the U.S. Army during World War II. He served in Italy with the ski troops of the 10th Mountain Division, serving with distinction and was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action.
Following his discharge in 1945, he attended the University of Minnesota, earning a master's degree in wildlife management biology.
In 1951, he went to work for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and was assigned to Alaska, where he spent the remainder of his life. He retired from the U.S. Forest Service in 1981. His wife, Esther (Tjader) of Ely, died in 1983.
His family said he was well known and respected in the Juneau area. He was an avid skier and member of the board of directors of Eaglecrest Ski Area. Sig was a member of the Trumpeter Swan Society, the Listening Point Foundation and many more. He was loved by all who knew him and will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his two sons, Greg Olson and wife, Peggy, of Meridian, Idaho, and Robert Olson and wife, Cindy, of Tucson, Ariz.; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the following: American Cancer Society or Listening Point Foundation, P.O. Box 180, Ely, MN 55731
Friends who wish to send condolences may mail them to the Olson Family, 2827 N Roughstone Way,
Meridian, ID 83642
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Sigurd Olson
2 Entries
Will Troyer
December 28, 2008
I first met Sig Olson and his wife Ess soon after I took a job with the US FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE as a Fish Cop-Game Warden in Wrangell, Alaska in 1952. The family was being transferred from Ketchikan to Petersburg aboard an FWS vessel. He was the first deer biologist in Alaska, and Petersburg was more central to his deer work--hence the transfer.
He often accompanied us on our game patrols to conduct his deer studies. Game biologists in those days rarely had enough funds to own their own vessels. I assisted him in some of these studies. We became good friends and often hunted and fished together. He had a great sense of humor and was an excellent companion when exploring the remote rain forests of SE Alaska. I shall miss him immensely.
Angela Cook
December 26, 2008
Please accept my condolences in the loss of your father. He was a long time friend of mine, as I lived in AK 1974-1987. We worked on the AK Lands issue in the 70's. More importantly I lived in Ely down the street from Elizabeth in the 90's, and was the US Forest Service District Ranger there. I looked forward to Sig's visits to his mother, and we talked for hours, spent time at Listening Point, and xc skied and walked "the road". He was a grand human being and I am richer for having spent time with him over the years.
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