Ralph Elmer Olson

Ralph Olson, 83, of Erdahl, passed away on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at the Barrett Care Center.

A Celebration of Life for Ralph Olson will be held at Somedays in Evansville from 2:00pm to 4:00pm on Saturday, June 28, 2025. Burial will be at Evansville Cemetery immediately following at 4:00pm.

Ralph Elmer Olson was born on December 9, 1941, in Grant County. He was the seventh of eight children born to Emil and Jennie (Ellingson) Olson. He was baptized and confirmed at Erdahl Lutheran Church. He received his early education in Evansville and attended high school in Elbow Lake.

Ralph spent much of his life in the family farmhouse in Erdahl, where animals were always part of the picture, often many at once. Over the years, Ralph worked for local farmers and in construction with Carlson Construction, Darwin Odens, and Maynard Melchert in Iowa.

He had a soft spot for animals, a green thumb for gardening, and a fondness for a cold beer or two. His storytelling—especially to his great-nephews and great-nieces—often included tales of Boomer and the “women” out by the pond. Ralph never did say if his tales were true.

Though Ralph hadn’t had a driver’s license in years, that didn’t stop him from getting around. He became known for riding his lawn mower all the way from Erdahl to Evansville—enjoying the ride as much as the destination. In later years, he upgraded to a golf cart.

Ralph is survived by nieces: LaVon Jalonack and Marilyn Kelly (Mark); nephews, Harold Hanson (Doreen) and Michael Nohre; as well as many great-nieces and great-nephews.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Jennie; his siblings, Elvina, Sidney, Willard, Jean, Elsie, Grace and baby brother, and by nieces, Patty Melchert (Maynard) and Darlene Schuman (David).

Ralph will be remembered for his quiet humor, his love of animals and gardening, and the tall stories he loved to tell.