Cover photo for Charles Olson's Obituary
Charles Olson Profile Photo
1913 Charles 2004

Charles Olson

August 21, 1913 — June 30, 2004

The funeral service for Charles C. Olson, 90, Perham will be held on Saturday, July 3, 2004 at 11 a.m. in St. Henry's Catholic Church, Perham with Father Dave Rieder officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday from 4-8 p.m. with a Rosary beginning at 6:30 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 7 p.m. in the Schoeneberger Funeral Home, Perham and also one hour prior to the service in the funeral home.



Charles Cyrus Olson, longtime resident of Perham died Wednesday, June 30, surrounded by family in his home. Charles was born August 21, 1913 in Battle Lake, MN to Cyrus and Rose (Karel) Olson. Later they moved to Binford-Sutton, ND area, coming to Perham with their family in 1928.



Charlie was active in Boy Scouts. He received the Eagle Scout award on March 10, 1936. Charlie served as scoutmaster from 1936-1938. While in scouting, he became interested in radio and electrical projects, which later influenced his choice of a career as an electrician. He received his journeyman's license in 1938.



In 1942, he joined a construction crew and went to St. John?s Newfoundland, where he worked on the electric project for the Army Hospital at Fort Pepperall Base. In 1945 he received his Master Electrician License and opened his own business. There is hardly a business place or house in Perham that Olson Electric hasn't at one time or other done some types of service work. Charlie also took care of the electrical work for the Fair at Perham from 1936-1974. In 1967 Olson Electric moved on to industrial wiring and big electrical work. He received his Electrical Contractor's license in 1968. Tuffy's had been his biggest project.



Charles married Regina P. Doll at St. Lawrence Church on September 18, 1944. They have four children: Marilyn (Frank) Dolezal of Zimmerman, MN, Ronald of Menahga, MN, Darlene (Roger) Flint of Bloomington, MN, Thomas (Gerrie) of Forest Lake, MN.

Seven grandchildren and one great granddaughter, a sister, Lillian Ragan of Jacksonville, NC, numerous family, nieces and nephews and cousins, also survive him.



Many people in Perham also remember Charlie for his work at the Pioneer Village. He built a 1/3 scale Case steam engine starting in 1978. His project took him six years to complete. He has shown his engine at numerous threshing shows and parades in the Central Minnesota area. His biggest show was Rollag over Memorial Day weekend. He also enjoyed ham radio operating for many years. His familiar license plate was WOUMU.



He also belonged to the Perham Chamber of Commerce, East Ottertail Historical Society and the Minnesota Electrical Association. He was a member of St. Henry's church and a member of the Knights of Columbus.



Arrangements are with the Schoeneberger Funeral Home, Perham, MN 218-346-5175


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