Oscar Olson Jr

Oscar Edwin Olson, Jr. passed away peacefully on February 27, 2020. He was born in Minneapolis, MN on December 5, 1929 to Oscar and Mary (Johnson) Olson. His mother passed away when he was 6 years old. Oscar, his father and his two siblings moved in with his grandparents. Oscar served in the Navy Reserves 1947-1951. He graduated from Mound High School in 1948. During high school he played football, basketball and ran track. After high school he attended Augsburg College in Minneapolis for two years. In 1951, he enlisted in the Air Force and served as a surgical tech in the Korean War. Upon his return he returned to Augsburg to finish his degree and graduated in 1957. On July 2, 1954 Oscar married his high school sweetheart, Virginia Thurk. In 1956 they moved to Willmar, MN where he completed his student teaching. They remained in Willmar and Oscar taught physical education at Willmar Junior High School until 1986. During his teaching career he also taught driver's education and coached basketball, football, and tennis. While in Willmar, Oscar and Virginia had two children, Mary and Bob. In 1986 they retired to Bozeman, MT. They enjoyed the mountains and outdoor activities. They faithfully worked out at The Ridge and enjoyed their many friends. In 2011, Oscar and Virginia moved to Billings, MT to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Oscar and Virginia celebrated their 60th anniversary in 2014 and just 18 days later his bride, Virginia, passed away from cancer. While in Billings, they attended American Lutheran Church and made many new friends. They joined Granite Fitness and he enjoyed his work outs there until 2019. Oscar was also a Shriner and participated in screening clinics and sent many children to the Shriner's Hospital for treatment. Oscar loved to hunt and fish, both in Minnesota and Montana and spent many hours in the mountains and on the lakes with his family and friends. Oscar was preceded in death by his parents and wife. He is survived by his daughter, Mary Olson, son Bob (Rhonda) Olson, granddaughter, Sydney Olson, grandson, Robert (Trista) Olson and great-granddaughter, Aubrie Olson, all of Billings. He is also survived by his brother Dale Olson of Brooklyn Park, MN and sister, Karin (Bob) Stebbins of Calgary, Canada and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Duval and Dr. Sample-Eppinger of Billings Clinic, Sweetwater Retirement, St. John's United Home Health and Stillwater Hospice for providing such great care to Oscar over the past year. Memorials can be sent to American Lutheran Church (5 Lewis Ave, Billings, MT 59101) or the Shriner's Hospital (911 W. 5th Ave., Spokane, WA 99204) or the charity of one's choice. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 5th at 11:00 AM at American Lutheran Church. Interment will take place at a later date at Crystal Lake Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN.