Gaylord A. Olson

Gaylord Ardell Olson, Grand Forks, ND, died Wednesday, January 14, at Altru Hospital. Gaylord was born on November 9, 1933 to Mancur and Clara (Fuglesten) Olson in Stavanger Township, Traill County, ND. He was baptized at Grue Lutheran Church, rural Buxton, and attended the one-room Stavanger Township School. He later attended and graduated from Buxton High School. At a young age, Gaylord was called on to help raise crops and care for livestock on his family's farm. Gaylord graduated from North Dakota State University in 1957 with a B.S. degree in Agricultural Economics, and took over the family farming operation in 1958. Gaylord married Gayle L. Clemetson on July 30, 1960 in Grenora, ND. They made their home at the family's farm raising crops, 5 children, and several grand children until 2005 when they moved to Grand Forks. Gaylord was a lifetime member of the North Dakota Farmers Union and served as NDFU's vice president from 1972 to 1984. He served on the Board of Directors of the Farmers Union Elevator Cooperative of Buxton from 1962 to 2001, and the Farmers Union Central Exchange (Cenex) Board of Directors from 1986 to 1999. He retired from farming in 1999. Gaylord is survived by his wife of 54 years, children Frayne (Jill) Olson, Fargo, Diana Olson, St Paul, MN, Kyle (Bobbi) Olson, Buxton, Janel Olson, Eden Prairie, MN, and Andrea (Cris) Breidenbach, Jamestown, ND, grandchildren Erin Olson, Benjamin Olson, and Nathan Olson all of Fargo, Jase Olson and Koy Olson of Buxton, Andrew Breidenbach and Julia Breidenbach of Jamestown, and Alexandra Wahl of Eden Prairie. Gaylord was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Mancur Olson Jr. and Allan Olson. Funeral Services will be 1 p.m., Tuesday, January 20, 2015 at the Havig-Heen Auditorium Chapel, 4000 Valley Square, Grand Forks. Visitation will be Monday, January 19, 2015 from 5-7 pm with prayer service at 6:30 pm at Amundson Funeral Home, 2975 S. 42nd Street, Grand Forks.