Conrad "Connie" Olson

Karl Conrad “Connie” Olson, age 86, from Pelican Rapids, MN passed away on Wednesday, June 6, at his home on Tamarac Lake in Otter Tail County.

Connie was born in rural Brantford, North Dakota to Lloyd and Alice (Black) Olson. He went through the West Fargo school system and was active in football and other activities. He often spent summers helping on his grandpa and grandma Black’s farm near Grace City, ND.

He married Deanna Hanson on April 30, 1960, at Faith Lutheran Church in West Fargo.

Connie attended NDSU for civil engineering. As a young man, he and some buddies learned carpentry and built lake cabins on Big Floyd Lake. He also worked in the West Fargo Brekke grocery store, where he learned meat processing. He went on to start his own meat markets, Old McDonald’s Meats in Moorhead and Fargo, along with other real estate ventures from apartments to multiple farms in the Pelican Rapids area. He found joy in farming for many years, tending the land with pride.

His final project was creating The Olson development at Tamarac Lake, where he and Deanna made fond memories with family and friends. Connie loved to garden and maintain a beautiful lawn. Family, neighbors and friends sought him out for his expertise.

Connie was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Gordon and David, and grandchildren Chelsea and William.

Connie is survived by his wife Deanna of Pelican Rapids; sons Barry of Orlando, FL and Thomas (Lori) of Pelican Rapids; daughter Shari Dunbar of Moorhead; grandchildren Dillon, Kirstin, Emily, Kristopher, Lexy (Tyler), Jacob, and Grant (Ali); great grandchildren Jaxon, Liam, Alex and Palmer; Siblings Roger, Karen, and Ingrid; and many cousins.

We wish to thank Hospice for their precious care and help, especially Pam and Michelle.

Friends and family are invited to join in remembering Connie and honoring the life he lived. Visitation will be held at Larson Funeral and Cremation Service, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota from 10:00-11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 15, 2024, followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Isaiah Bai officiating.

Please keep Connie's family in your thoughts and prayers.