Rudolph Olson

SUTTONS BAY — Rudy Olson, 100, of Suttons Bay, passed away Saturday, May 10, 2008, at Munson Medical Center.

Rudy was born May 8, 1908, in Suttons Bay, the son of Ole H. Olson and Maggie Stanvik Nelson. On May 7, 1936, in Suttons Bay, he married his loving wife of 61 years, Elizabeth "Betty" Skipski. She preceded him in death on March 14, 1997.

Rudy was a loving husband, father and grandfather; a member of the generation that built Leelanau County. He was a living, first-hand resource for Suttons Bay area history.

During the 1930s and '40s, he owned the Sinclair Gas Station, formerly located in today's Ice Cream Shop, in Suttons Bay. Rudy referred to it as "my Sinclair station." In 1933 he drove the school bus with Union School's Senior Class (a.k.a. Old Stone School) to show them Washington, D.C.

When the Great Depression forced him to close down the Sinclair gas station, he and Betty moved to Lansing, and together they worked in the factories to support our nation's World War II efforts.

The Olsons returned to Suttons Bay. Rudy then spent from 1942 to 1974 working at the Leelanau Auto Company, which also was the town's Texaco Gas Station, located in today's Edward's Home Furnishings. They sold Chrysler and Ford products, and Rudy would deliver fuel oil to the surrounding community. During his deliveries, Rudy would bring candy treats for the kids. Whenever his fuel truck would pull up to a home, the kids would run out to grab a treat from Rudy.

Back in the late 1920s, Rudy and a friend would also take the train to Detroit and drive back new Model Ts for sale in Suttons Bay. He loved anything to do with cars. At the age of 94, he was still driving. In fact, just a few days ago, Rudy was talking about getting his car ready for summer driving! Not too long before his 94th birthday, his auto insurance company sent him a congratulatory letter for 60 years of accident-free driving.

Rudy never really retired, he always kept busy. He delivered cherries to the processing plants for the Kalchik and Beuerle farms. Rudy would plow the church parking lot in the winter. He would mow his friends' lawns and help out wherever he could, often saying he was mowing lawns for "old people" even though he was 20 years older than they were. He was the type of guy who always liked to feel useful and enjoyed helping others in any way he could. Annie remembers he always would make time to spend with her during his lunch hour or dinner break. After a long day at work, he would be willing to go out and play baseball, croquet, or a game of tag with her.

Rudy is survived by his daughter, Ruth Ann "Annie" (William) Miller and a grandson, Zach Wilkinson of Ann Arbor.

He was predeceased by his wife; a daughter, Shirley Olson; a brother, Hazen; and three sisters, Louise, Nora and Edna.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 15, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Suttons Bay, with Rudy's family greeting friends one hour prior to the service. A private family burial will be held at a later date in the Lutheran Cemetery of Suttons Bay. The Rev. Paul Kuhlman will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to The Suttons Bay - Bingham Twp. Fire and Rescue, P.O. Box 280; the Friendship Community Center, P.O. Box 216; Immanuel Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 206; all at Suttons Bay, MI 49682; and/or the Leelanau Conservancy, P.O. Box 1007, Leland, MI 49654.

Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.

This obituary was originally published in the Record-Eagle.