Magnus "Mike" Olason

Magnus “Mike” Olason, 94, of Cavalier, ND, died peacefully on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at the Pembilier Nursing Center in Walhalla, ND. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, January 31, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Brigid’s Catholic Church in Cavalier. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 30, 2025 at the Askew Funeral Home from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Magnus “Mike” Olason was born May 3, 1930, at Hensel, on the rural North Dakota farm. The son of Skapti and Elin (Magnusson) Olason. He attended the nearby Eastman School and graduated from Cavalier High School in 1948.

Mike joined the local National Guard in 1948, and the Army sent his Battalion to Nevada to work at the site of the Atomic Bomb testing. After that he returned home to work for Joe Mayo & Son. Having lunch at the cafe he met the Love of his Life, Betty Scholler. They were married in Bathgate, ND on October 8, 1952. Mike took over the original family “homestead” farm the next spring. He never really “retired” from farming.

Mike was active in his community. He served on the Akra Township Board, Cavalier School Board, Hensel Elevator Board, Cavalier Elevator Board and the Vidalin Cemetery Board. Mike was proud of his “Icelandic” heritage and enjoyed visiting with everyone in his community.

Mike and Betty were married for 72 years. They traveled often to visit relatives and friends. They enjoyed many winters in Arizona and a “few” trips to the casinos in Vegas and other places. Mike was proud of his family and really enjoyed the visits with Grandchildren and Great grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife Betty, children: Michael Olason, Douglas (Danielle) Olason, DeeDee (Scott) Vogsland, Brenda (Jon) Casey, grandchildren: Randy (Becky) Vogsland, Jeremy Vogsland, Michael (Amy) Vogsland, Krysta Casey Scholle, Jonathan (Ana) Casey, Joshua (Emily) Casey, Kyle Olason, Tanner Olason, Natalie Olason, great grandchildren: Everly Vogsland, Ellis Vogsland, Oliver Vogsland, Aiden Vogsland, Alexys Scholle, Luke Scholle, Alain Villa-Cazarin, Skylar Casey, Jackson Casey. Also surviving are his siblings: Dennis (Ann) Olason, Sally Cooper and sisters-in-law: Leona Olason and Carol Scholler.

Mike was proceeded in death by his parents, siblings: John, Matt, Mary, Steve, Polly and Harold, Betty’s parents; John and Bernice Scholler; in-laws: Tom Cooper, Lois Olason, Larry Freeman, Willard Freeman, Thelma Olason, Laverne and Dorothy Scholler, Larry Scholler and Marvin Scholler.