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FUNERAL HOME

Cremation Society of Minnesota (First Memorial Funeral Chapel) - Edina

7110 France Ave. S

Edina, Minnesota

John OLSON Obituary

Age 56, of Excelsior, MN John Olson, Founder and Chairman of the Minneapolis-based "Olson" ad agency entered into eternal rest surrounded by family on September 7th, 2013. Olson was born in Madison, Wisconsin and raised in Minneapolis. In less than 20 years he and his wife, Cindy, founded and grew their company to become the largest ad agency in the Twin Cities and among the five largest independent ad agencies in North America, with more than 450 employees globally. Together their teams helped create, and strengthen, some of the most iconic brands in Minnesota and across the country. Clients including, The Minnesota Wild, Bauer Hockey, Cub Foods, The Detroit Pistons, Target, Phillips Distilling and Old Dutch. John Olson - or Johnny as some of his friends call him, spent much of the last year in recording sessions in the Twin Cities and at Blackbird Studios in Nashville, TN releasing an album he called "Olsonville." You can hear some of the tunes and find its spirit at www.olsonville.org. John Olson was also founder of the BrandLab, a foundation based in Minneapolis that helps open opportunities in the advertising and marketing industry to minorities. Olson is survived by his wife, Cindy (Cobb) Olson and their children, Miko (14), Ava (10) and Zellie (7), his mother, Therese (Casserly) Olson. And his siblings Tom Olson (Wendy), Steve Olson (Joan), Peter Olson, Ted Olson (Karen), Nancy Miller Johnson (Steven), Elizabeth Brown (Aryae) and 24 nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, Thomas Oscar Olson and his brother-in-law Steven Miller. Visitation 4-8pm Monday, September 9th at First Memorial Funeral Chapel at 7110 France Ave. South Edina, MN 55435. 952-924-4900. Mass of Christian Burial noon, Tuesday, September 10th at the Basilica of St. Mary, Hennepin Avenue & 16th Street in downtown Minneapolis. There will be an additional visitation at the Basilica from 10:30am to noon - preceding the Mass. Reception following the Mass at the Basilica, lower level. Note: In keeping with John's spirit, we invite you to feel free to wear colorful clothing to the Mass. (This was his daughter Ava's request). In lieu of flowers, family requests memorials to: Holy Family Catholic Church Choir 5900 West Lake Street St. Louis Park, MN 55416 www.hfcmn.org.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Pioneer Press from Sep. 8 to Sep. 9, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for John OLSON

25 Entries

Mike Gray

September 2, 2020

Oh ... how we could all use that big, booming laugh that screamed, C'mon lets just have some fun!

Jan Leadholm

September 16, 2013

Ohhhh John, how you will be missed. Whether I saw you often or not, I just liked knowing you -- Such a bright star and playful spirit. Such a good man. I smile thinking of you. May your family find comfort from loving and being loved by you.

Julie Dual

September 12, 2013

Deepest sympathy.

Lea Roberts

September 11, 2013

I was glad to have met you all in September and be a part of the wonderful performance at the coffee house. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time. Remember all those wonderful memories.

Sandra Teichner

September 10, 2013

John was so wonderful at motivating his friends and employees. He took the time to know even the family of his employees. It was special to be greeted as the mom of one of them-may he rest in peace. Love to Cindy and family as well.

Kathy and Allan Share

September 10, 2013

Dear Cindy and family,
Sending heartfelt condolences to all of you. Our greatest memory of John was watching him "whoop it up" at the Bellgrove family gathering at your home. He lived life to the fullest and had fun every step of the way.
Sending hugs to all of you....

Wendy Mills

September 9, 2013

You are a light. Your light shined brightly on earth and now will also shine brightly in heaven. You are an encourager. You are a lover of people. You are a generous soul. It's a great comfort to me to know that you will be in heaven with the angels fighting the good fight on our behalf. You inspire me to be the Biggest Fool. Bless you forever, friend.

Mike Spoodis

September 9, 2013

Hearing this terrible news brought not only a wave of sadness for Johnny and his wonderful family (who I had the immense pleasure of spending a great deal of time with in the eighties)--it also unleashed a wave of vivid and wonderful memories--lunches at Matin, or Black's, art crawls through the Wyman Building, late night revelry at the New French bar, and fabulous parties at Johnny's, dancing in his jam-packed living room late into the night...and most of all, Johnny's brilliant, infectious, joy-filled smile.
Love and condolences to the entire Olson family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Irene Lockwood

September 9, 2013

It has been a unique pleasure working with John five of the past eight years. He made me smile everyday. He created an amazing agency because he was an amazing man, truly one of a kind.

Mike Gray

September 9, 2013

So sorry to hear of John's passing. Our condolences to Cindy and his family. He was a special kind of guy filled with creative passion, purpose and intellect, but with a humbleness of spirit that was intimidating. I can hear that crazy, signature laugh of his … he was just so damn much fun.

Valerie Esqueda

September 9, 2013

A spirit as limitless and boundless and Johns now truly has no bounds. I believe we will continue to see the spirit of John at work unfettered by physical limitations. That infectious smile of his that we all will miss so much? Still there only the expression is different. Perhaps in the form of sunlight dancing on the water.

Karen Sattler

September 9, 2013

I'll always remember Johnny - mid-air - jumping from the bow of our boat. For over a year we had told the kids it was too dangerous, but Johnny changed the rules. He was good at that! We and the kids will forever thank him for the thrill. Many prayers for Cindy & kiddos coming from us.

Tony Kubat

September 9, 2013

I was shocked and saddened when I heard. John had such a creative approach to life, work and play. We are all made in God's image… John's creative energy resembled God the Creator in such a unique way. We have to be thankful for the time that we had with John, and know that our loss is Heaven's gain. My prayers are with you Cindy, and all of the Olson family.

Katy Ramme

September 9, 2013

Your soul is now in heaven, but your heart is alive and well here at Olson, John. We will serve your memory best by continuing to build upon your dream.

Bob Huff

September 9, 2013

We'll greatly miss you John. What a brilliant light of creative talent and energy. Thanks for the opportunity to work together when the agency was in its toddler years. The entire Olson family is in our thoughts and prayers.

Nicole Nye

September 9, 2013

Such a special, special soul. John, I cannot thank you enough for bringing me to Olson nearly eight years ago. It was a privilege to work alongside of you. The memories are overflowing. Cindy, please let me know if there is anything I can do. Sending prayers and peace. Much love.

Larry Magnesen

September 9, 2013

John was one of the most unique and talented people I have ever known. My sympathy to both his family at home, and his family at the agency. He is gone too soon, but will always be remembered with a smile.

Kathy McEnaney

September 9, 2013

A Truly Gifted Man...You will be missed Johnny O.

Cindy, you gave him wings and nurtured his zest for adventure of mind and spirit. His good fortune was having you along for the ride, and what a ride it's been! Godspeed my friend.

Fr. Rinaldo Custodio

September 8, 2013

My condolences to the Olson family. I have vivid memories of John when he and the music group played at the children's Mass, the eighth grade graduating Mass, and the Sunday Masses at Visitation. You will be in my prayers. I think he's making music in heaven. May he rest in peace.

Tom Jonas

September 8, 2013

John was always hard working with a smile on his face. His infectious good humor and striving for the very best are what I will remember most.

May all of you be comforted by his entrance into eternal life.

Bonnie Norsted

September 8, 2013

I remember John and Cindy on our great trip to Rome with Patrons of the Arts of the Vatican Museums. I could see that John was a deep creative thinker and he loved his wife, children and friends with a great devotion. My thoughts and prayers to them.

Pook Grathwol

September 8, 2013

Dear and beloved Olson Family. A light has gone out. Bright, funny, smart and witty. He is already dearly missed. We will stand with you. Pook and Grathwols

Joanie Bernstein & Jack Molloy

September 8, 2013

Remembering John in the Woolverines Trio that played at our wedding in 1985.
A gifted musician and the guy who wrote great ads.
R.I.P. my friend.

Jim Wold

September 8, 2013

My deepest sympathy to John's wife, children and family. May you get comfort from each other and help each other through this tough time.

Mary Lee Shand, RN

September 8, 2013

Dear Olson family,
When I saw John's name on the news, I felt incredibly sad to see such a great man, with the most energetic passion for life, depart so quick. I was honored to know him over the last year as his cancer care nurse. He embraced life with positive and forward thinking. I will always remember John.

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