Rev. Roger Palmer Olson

Rev. Roger Palmer Olson, 94, of Park Rapids, MN passed away on Sat. December 13, 2025 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Park Rapids, MN. Roger wrote his own obituary listed below.
Roger was born on January 27, 1931 in Whitehall, Wisconsin the son of Palmer C. and Evelyn C (Risberg) Olson. He was raised on the family farm, and he attended a one room country school before attending Independence High School. He continued his education with a mixed-bag: St. Olaf College, The US Army – stationed in Germany, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science, Luther Seminary and various other lifelong continuing education. In the midst of the education, Roger married his college sweetheart, Marilyn Olson on August 20, 1955 at North Rush River Lutheran in rural Baldwin, Wisconsin.
Life is full of surprises! Following his years as a mortician in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, he entered the seminary and in 1961 he was ordained at his childhood congregation, Chimney Rock, and accepted the call to serve at the Gully-Trail parish in Northwestern Minnesota. Along with Gully-Trail, he served the communities of Park Rapids, Moorhead, Dilworth, Menahga, and Nevis. There were various committees and boards-too numerous and boring to mention.
Roger is survived by his four children – Lynne (Glen) Rommesmo; Heidi (Mike) Olson-Fitzgerald, Sara (Paul) Hanson, Mark (Sara) Olson; his grandchildren – Matt (Jen) Fitzgerald; Jake (Emily) Hanson, Adam (Megan) Fitzgerald, Abby Hanson, Kate Fitzgerald, Alyssa Hanson, Boysen Olson, Palmer Olson, Daniel (Katie) Rommesmo; Jennifer (Sascha) Rommesmo; Great Grandchildren – Hadley, Kimberley, Ryan, Lucy, Gavin, Oakley and Phoenix.
He was preceded in death by his parents Palmer and Evelyn, his wife – Marilyn and sister- Elaine Ross. And too many relatives you wouldn't know anyway.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at 11:00 AM at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids, MN. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 26, 2025 from 3 until 7 PM at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids, MN. The Ojibwe Hymn Singers will lead a prayer service from 3 until 4 pm, visitation will continue and at 6:30 PM The Holden Prayer service will start with a time for sharing tributes. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the services at the church on Sat. A hymn sing will begin at 10:30 as part of the visitation. Military Honors will be held at the end of the services. Interment will be held at the Bethel Lutheran Cemetery following a hot lunch.
Thank you for attending, your kind words, and happy remembrances.
Memorials appreciated to the charity of your choice or places Roger loved including – the Hard Hat Ministry of Calvary Lutheran Church; Friends of Itasca, Bethel Lutheran Cemetery Fund; White Earth Community Development (ELCA); or plant a tree in Roger's honor. Friends may leave online condolences at ceasefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are being handled by Cease Family Funeral Home of Park Rapids, MN.