Obituaries: Rodger Harmon Olson

Rodger Harmon Olson Sr., 76, passed away June 17, 2020, at home in Menahga, Minnesota.

Rodger was born on April 21, 1944, in Scanlon. He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Faith (Pajuoja) Olson; his four children, Jes (Patty) Olson, Rodger Olson II, Arlene (Bruce) Breitweser and Rodgena (Chris) St. Germain; his sister, Kathleen Johnson; his brothers Steven (Gail) and Douglas (Ginny); sister-in-law, Sirpa Olson; brothers-in-law, Gary Pajuoja, Jay (Toni) Pajuoja and Cy Voigt; and seven grandchildren, several great-grandchildren as well as great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lyle and Virginia Olson, and his brother William Olson.

Rodger was raised in Scanlon. He was a medic in the U.S. Army Reserve after high school. He was employed as a machinist at Potlatch in Cloquet, where he retired after 36 years. Rodger and Faith enjoyed 47 years of marriage, building homes together, raising children and enjoying his grandchildren.

He was a jack of all trades and most days you would find him up to his elbows in grease in the garage. He was the one all the neighbors, relatives and friends called on to "get 'er done."

Rodger also enjoyed golfing, hunting and being a member of the White Oak Antique Tractor Club.

Visitation: 12 p.m. until the 1 p.m. funeral service Friday, June 26 at Carroll Funeral Home, 14 1st Ave NE in Deer River. Burial will be at Pine Ridge Cemetery in Deer River.

A special thanks goes out to St. Joseph's Hospice, the VA, Headwaters Adult Day Stay, Knute Nelson Home Care, the Deer River VFW and the Park Rapids American Legion, who all assisted in caring for Rodger at home.

"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning how to dance in the rain."

Arrangements by Carroll Funeral Home, Deer River and Bigfork. carroll funeralhomes.com

Pine Knot News, June 26, 2020