Obituary - William E. "Bill" Olsen

William E. "Bill" Olsen died April 16, 2015, in Phoenix, Arizona, following a three-month attempt to recover from benign brain tumor surgery.

William was born in Moose Lake, Minnesota, on Aug. 23, 1945, to Thorwald and Borghild Holten Olsen.

Bill was raised on the family farm near Mahtowa, Minnesota. He attended schools in Mahtowa and Barnum, Minnesota, and Havre, Montana.

Bill was a very energetic and hard-working man. He began his varied career when just a child as he helped on the family farm as well as working for an uncle on a neighboring farm. Bill had many job experiences often working more than one job at a time. He said about the only job he had not done was work at a grocery store. Bill spent many years as part of a gas pipeline crew. He later became active in construction, working throughout northern Minnesota.

At the time of his death he had been enjoying retirement being ever-busy helping his wife, Darlene Tonjum, maintain and beautify her family's farm north of Havre. He also enjoyed buffing and shining his classic vehicles while listening to music from the '50s and '60s. Winters were spent relaxing and enjoying an occasional game of golf near Bill and Darlene's winter residence in Arizona.

Bill is survived by his wife, Darlene Olson Tonjum; his children, Sheila of Duluth, Minnesota, Michael of California and Billy Jack (Rita) of Finlayson, Minnesota. He is also survived by his stepdaughters, Carra (Tim) Palmer, Julie (Chris) Travis, Janet (Steve )Haas, and Rhonda Hendrickson; brothers, Richard (Gladys) Olsen of Cloquet, Minnesota, and Larry (Deb) Knutson of Wisconsin; sister, Betty Jones of Reno, Nevada; his grandchildren, Amanda (Kevin) Jorgensen, Amber Olsen, Jared and Tyler Palmer, Brandon and Evan Travis, Jordan, Amanda and Hannah Haas, Zach, Shay and Skylar; great-granddaughter, Claire Jorgensen, an aunt, Evelyn Olsen of Minnesota; numerous nieces and nephews who always held a very special place in his heart; and many cousins.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Thorwald and Borghild Olsen; his previous wife, Jackie Olsen; and his sister, Jean Gifford. He is also preceded in death  by his brothers Thomas and Harry Olsen; and nephews, Roger and Mike McIntosh.

Per Bill's wishes, cremation has taken place and interment will be at Highland Cemetery in Havre. Pastor Linda Rose of First Lutheran Church will officiate at the private family service.

A memorial celebrations of Bill's life will be held in Havre, on Saturday, May, 30, 2015. The celebration will be at the Great Northern Fair's Activity Building at 3 p.m. Friends and family are invited to come for a barbecue and share memories while listening to Bill's favorite music.

Memorials will be given to cancer research at the Mayo Clinic or to a donor's choice.