Donald Carl Olsen
Sunday, March 18, 1934
Date of Death:
Sunday, June 16, 2019
Age:
85 years old
Sunday, March 18, 1934
Date of Death:
Sunday, June 16, 2019
Age:
85 years old
Sunday, March 18, 1934
Date of Death:
Sunday, June 16, 2019
Age:
85 years old
Donald Carl Olsen
Mr. Olsen, 85, of Rochester, died Sunday, June 16, 2019 at his residence in the presence of his beloved wife and family.
Donald was born March 18, 1934 in Des Moines, IA to Carl and Emma (Bertelsen) Olsen. He graduated from East High School in Des Moines in 1952, attended Grand View College in Des Moines, and graduated from Iowa State Teachers College, now University of Northern Iowa, in Cedar Falls in 1956.
On December 28, 1957, he married Barbara “Barb” (Priest) Olsen in Cedar Falls, IA. Don graduated with his PhD from the University of Northern Colorado and was a beloved Instructor of Organic Chemistry and later the Associate Dean of Instruction at Rochester Community College, now Rochester Community and Technical College, which he retired from in 1994. In his profession, he excelled at meeting the needs of his students and touched many lives during his years teaching.
Don was highly esteemed by everyone who knew him. He had a deep love and devotion to his family, loved meeting with his friends, had an incredible sense of humor, made friends with everyone he met, and he had a passion for traveling the world. Don was also on a committee for three years to help select medical students at the Mayo Clinic.
Don and Barb had an incredible marriage of 61 years. Don referred to Barb as “his bride” and she referred to him as “her prince”. Their love story was absolutely beautiful and inspired so many people. Even at the end, Barb sat beside Don and held his hand. They loved being together and traveled extensively throughout Europe and the United States.
Don is survived by his wife, Barb; children, Kurt (Joan) Olsen of Brainerd, Lynn (Kurtis) Ault of Inver Grove Heights, and Brad Olsen of Rochester; grandchildren, Erin (Blake) Olson, Megan (Andrew) Nash, Andrew Olsen, Sarah Olsen; great-grandchildren, Laken, Micah, Holden and Aubrey; and brother, Harold (Carole) Olsen. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl (Emma) Olsen; and siblings, Berg (Betty Lou) Olsen, Mary (Harold) Riber, and Elsie (Chris) Johansen.
The funeral for Donald “Don” Olsen will be at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, 2019 at Zumbro Lutheran Church in Rochester with Pastor Shelley Cunningham. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the church before the funeral.
In lieu of flowers, donations to cancer research at Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research are preferred.
Condolences
The family of Donald Carl Olsen has received the following condolences.
I am deeply saddened at the passing of Dr. Don Olson. He was such an amazing Chemistry teacher, mentor and friend to all of his students who had the pleasure of getting to know him. He always made himself available to his students whether it was for help in class or just to hear an entertaining story. His kindness and sense of humor is what made him Doc Olson to those of us who had the pleasure of taking his class. Years later I would see him at the Christmas Tree lots and he would always spend whatever time it took to find me the perfect tree. He will be missed by all who knew him. Such a special person!
Sincerely,
Cherri Barlow, RCC 1977
I’m very sorry to read the passing of your beloved Donald. Please accept my sincere condolences. I have personally felt comforted by the promise made by God of bringing back to life those who sleep in death (1 Thes. 4:14). So be assured that you’ll be able to hug, kiss and talk to Donald again. He will come back into an Earth free of suffering, sickness and anything that causes us to shed tears of pain (Rev. 21:4). This hope is both sure and firm because Jehovah God cannot lie (Heb. 6:18; Titus 1:2). Is my sincere desire that you can also find comfort in this words during this difficult time for you.
Dr. Olsen had a profound impact on my life and as the organic chemistry instructor at then RSJC where he forever tainted my views of the subject which he often referred to as 'tar and gunk' chemistry. Despite this, I got my degrees in chemistry and finally retired after 40 years in various roles as a NASA scientist.
My sincere condolences to the family.
John Haberman
i am so sorry to hear about Don, he truly was a light in this world. He truly will be missed.
Barb and family,
Don was one of the good guys -- no great guys -- and he will be missed. The picture you have chosen shows his wonderful smile and the ever-present twinkle in his eye -- a wonderful way to remember him. Please accept my condolences and cherish all those wonderful memories.
Julie Rodakowski
My sincere condolences to the family. Don had purchased a couple Buick's from me at the dealership at Lewiston Auto. I spoke to Don and Brad many times discussing new cars and options when they were in getting their service work done. It was always a pleasure to talk with Don. A very friendly and heartfelt man. I will miss our conversations. He will be missed by many.
Dear Barb and family,
I am deeply saddened by Don's death and believe that the world is now a slightly less bright and happy place. Kindness has been diminished. We are not quite as happy and cheerful since Don left us. We have lost what I call a generosity of spirit. We all loved being with Don because we knew he was acknowledging us as friends. He made us feel loved and important. Don's passing has meant that we will miss his welcoming smile and his terrific sense of humor. And we Danes have lost one of our own. Don and I loved to comment on our appreciation for all things Danish. I appreciated Don as a colleague at RCC, respected him for his many accomplishments, and loved him for being my friend. My deepest condolences to the entire family. Curt Mortenson
Don and I came to Central Jr. High in 1959. We even took turns give each other rides to work. We sort of lost touch with each other as years went by but recently reclaimed our friendship at Apache Mall walking and once at his regular meeting with colleagues. I am so glad that we reclaimed our friendship. Don was certainly one the nicest people anyone could ever hope to meet. Yes he had a great sense of humor and a sincere concern for others. Don will be missed by many. A long time friend. Howard Monnet
Aunt Barb and Cousins Kurt, Lynn and Brad:
Uncle Don was a very special man. I am very sorry I did not get to see him before he passed. He will be missed.
Regards,
Janet
My teacher, mentor and oldest, dearest friend...
I cherish our happy times solving all the worlds problems. We never made much progress but I will miss those breakfast and lunch dates. You still owe me lunch and I plan to collect! Put in a good word for me and save a spot near your mansion. I love and miss you my friend. Til we meet again. Godspeed.
Barb, Lynn, Curt and Brad,
Your husband/ Dad was one of the finest men I've ever known. Kind, generous, smart and that hilarious sense of humor. Truly one of my dearest friends. The world is a little less bright today.
Sending love and prayers as we share your grief.?
Dr. Don Olsen was the Dean over the Math/Computer Science Department at RCTC while I taught in that dept. My respect for Don and also for Barb was increased by his kind and friendly approach, helpful and considerate at all times, and it continued away from work and the college whenever you saw him. He was the example I admired, both in his teaching and in his supervising of the staff at RCTC. My sincerest sympathy to Barb and their family, and his loss is deeply felt in our home, too. Our children attended then RCC, and share with me their respect for Don and Barb. He was a Good Man. Marilyn Treder
Dear Barb and family,
Please accept my condolences as you say farewell to your beloved Don. I always looked forward to his smiling face and cheerful, welcoming attitude to all who came to Zumbro Lutheran. We give thanks for his full, rich, generous life and his faith in the life to come. Blessings and prayers are offered for you. In loving faith,
Pastor Carol Solovitz