OSCAR "SONNY" OLEK

OSCAR "SONNY" OLEK Oscar "Sonny" Olek, 78, of International Falls, MN passed away Monday, November 24, 2025, at Essentia Health in Duluth, MN with his loving family by his side. Sonny was born on September 25, 1947, in Moorhead, MN to Oscar and Helen Olek. He was raised on the family farm in Felton, MN where he developed a strong work ethic helping his parents, along with his siblings. When the work was done, he discovered his love for fishing at their family cabin in the Detroit Lakes area, a passion that brought him great joy throughout his life. Sonny graduated from Felton High School in 1965. He went on to study x-ray technology and nursing in Fargo, ND, and graduated from the United Hospital School of Nurse Anesthesia in Grand Forks, ND, in 1974. He worked 52 years as a dedicated nurse anesthetist before retiring on July 31st, 2024. Sonny married the love of his life, Diane Harris, on April 12, 1969, in Fargo, ND. They were blessed with three sons Bart, Chris, and Greg. He enjoyed attending all their various sporting events throughout the years and treasured the times they spent together at the shack and on Rainy Lake. In the summer, you would find Sonny tending to all the trees he planted over the years at their home in the Falls, and he even planted some rocks too!! He loved his garden, and everyone always looked forward to his famous dill potatoes in August. He deeply loved his 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandsons. He enjoyed playing tricks on them, made the trip from the Falls to attend many of their sporting events & activities, and the kids always knew he was good for some gum. Sonny and Diane spent countless hours on Rainy Lake together and with their boys, where many treasured memories were made together. The lake was his peaceful place he would fish for hours and was happy. You could usually find him at his favorite fishing hole only a couple minutes from the dock. Sonny loved the Green Bay Packers - gosh he loved the Packers. He and Diane followed them faithfully, traveling to Titletown every fall to cheer on the green and gold - and in 2011 they attended Super Bowl XLV to watch the Pack defeat his brother John's favorite team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. Before joining his family in heaven, Sonny happily watched Green Bay beat the Vikings one last time. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Helen Olek; his father-and mother-in-law, Rudy and Joyce Harris; brothers Kenneth, John, and Raymond; sister Helen Joyce; and sister-in-law Rose Olek. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Diane; sons Bart (Maureen) Olek, Chris (Vanessa Crown) Olek, and Greg (Krista) Olek; grandchildren Kyle Dion, Brennan (Mahalia Regan) Olek, Garrett Olek, Sophie Olek, William Olek, Mackenzie Olek, and Wyatt Olek; great-grandchildren Tylson Stith-Dion and Willie Dion; siblings Vernard "Swede" Olek and JoAnne (Ron) Dawson; sisters-in-law Marge (Raymond) Olek and Nancy (John) Olek; and several nieces and nephews. Sonny was a great man; he will be missed deeply and will forever be remembered for the positive impact he had on others. A celebration of Sonny's life is being planned for a later date. Condolences may be left on www.greenlarsen.com