Duane Olson

Duane F. Olson, 96, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017, at home.

Duane was born Oct. 23, 1920, in St. Cloud, Minn., to Launie B. and Fred I. Olson. His mother passed away when he was 8 years old. He was reared by his Aunt Tilly and Uncle Bill on the family dairy farm in Maple Plain, Minn., with his cousins, Lucille, Juanita and Arnold.

Duane graduated from Mound High School in 1939 and immediately enlisted in the Navy. He spent four years in the Navy serving on the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid during WWII. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to Minneapolis, where he met and married Joan Snyder on May 8, 1948. Joan passed away February 2002.

Duane had two lifetime careers. He worked for Burroughs Corp. as a Field Engineer for 30 years. His territory covered southeast Minnesota, northern Iowa and western Wisconsin. He wasn't ready to retire completely so he drove school bus for the next 32 years, retiring at the young age of 92! He drove for the local bus service and had the same route, route 43, that transported students to and from Rochester Central Lutheran School.

Duane was very active in his church. He was a charter member of Community Presbyterian Church, Rochester, and held many different positions within the church.

Duane was preceded in death by his wife, Joan; father, Fred; mother, Launie B.; stepmother, Emma; and sister, Shirley.

Duane is survived by his brother, the Rev. Fr. Thomas Olson of Kimball, Minn.; daughters, Launie J. (Ralph) Smith of Rochester and Susan Annette Olson of Rochester; son, Kevin D. (Susan Marie) Olson of Rochester; three grandsons, Matthew (Jennifer) Olson of Shelton, Wash., Jeremy Olson of Cassleberry, Fla., Daniel (Tiffaney) Olson of Amarillo, Texas; and 13 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at Community Presbyterian Church, 3705 55th St. NW, Rochester. Visitation will be one hour prior to service at the church. Private family burial will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery with full military honors.

Duane's family would like to thank Mayo Hospice, especially Maureen, Joan and Susan, and all the behind-the-scenes professionals and volunteers for their kind and compassionate care of him during his journey, and Dr. Yaeger and Dr. Hubbard for their professional care throughout his life.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to either Community Presbyterian Church or Mayo Clinic Hospice.

To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.