Lyle H. Olson

Monday, April 2, 2018 7:19 pm

Lyle H. Olson, 91, of Canton, Minn., passed away early Saturday, March 31, 2018, at the Spring Valley Care Center, where he has resided for the last year. Funeral services are at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 5, at the First Lutheran Church of Highland in rural Lanesboro, Minn., with Pastor Patricia Hinkie officiating. Burial is in the Highland Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation is one hour prior to services at the church. Memorials are preferred to the First Lutheran Church of Highland. The Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel is assisting with arrangements.

Lyle Harvey Olson was born Jan. 11, 1927, near Whalen, Minn., the son of John and Hilda (Jenson) Olson. Lyle was the grandson of Civil War veteran James (Martha Johnson) Olson and Ingeman (Annie Johnson) Jenson.

Lyle was baptized and confirmed at the First Lutheran Church of Highland, Minn. He served in the United States Army from 1951–1953 in Korea. Lyle wed Rita Ann Kratz Feb. 5, 1957, at La Crosse, Wis. She was the daughter of Edward and Mary (Brady) Kratz. They farmed for several years, worked at factories in Peterson and Chatfield; he also worked at Penney’s in Winona.

Lyle was an avid reader of westerns and had a such fascination with trains that at one time he had a room all set up with trains. He also enjoyed flea markets, but most of all he loved his cats: Fatso, Abner and Arnold.

Lyle is survived by six nephews and nieces: Elaine (William) Miller of Rochester, Minn., Duane (Karen) Paulson of Winona, Minn., Dennis (Joan) Paulson of St. Paul, Minn., Marlene McCabe of Burr Oak, Robert (Delores) Neshiem of Mazeppa, Minn. and Wayne Neshiem of Burr Oak; 17 great-nephews and nieces; and four cousins: Mildred (Oaks) Stoner of Lancaster, Calif., Sylvia (Erickson) Mallory of Beaverton, Ore., Betty (Marquardt) Palmer of Rochester, Minn. and Carol (Jenson) Johnson of St. Paul, Minn.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Rita, May 13, 2001; his father in 1958 and mother in 1978; and five siblings: Alice (Hermey) Hanson in 1988, Hazel (Ernest) Neshiem in 1977, Margaret (Glen) Paulson in 1995, Pearl Olson in 1993 and Donald Olson in 1946.