John Paul Olson

John P. Olson, 70, of Grand Forks, ND died Monday, October 4, 2010 in his home surrounded by his family. John Paul Olson was born in Grafton, ND the son of Kenneth and Julia (Jorgenson) Olson. He graduated from high school in Bismarck, ND. John began his theological training at Trinity Bible College which is now in Ellendale, ND; then went on to North Central Bible College in Minneapolis, MN earning a B.S. in Bible and Theology. During his college years John met Deanne Kroft of Hettinger, ND and they married on July 2, 1962. He received his B.A. Degree in Psychology from Bethel College in St. Paul, MN and later attended Minot State Teachers College in Minot, ND. He was granted his Ordination on April 10th, 1968 at the Annual Ordination Service of the Minnesota District of the Assemblies of God at Willmar, Minnesota. Together John and Deanne pastored and served churches in Grenora, ND, Brainerd, MN, Babbitt, MN and in Grand Forks, ND. While in Grand Forks, ND John attended the University of North Dakota earning his Masters Degree in Counseling in 1985. He used his experience and training to work as an Intensive In-Home Family Therapist for Lutheran Social Services for fifteen years. Following the flood of 1997 John was also part of the Lutheran Disaster Response Team and worked with families in the East Grand Forks area. John enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren and attending their activities. He also enjoyed fishing, sports on TV, was an avid reader and collected all of the Sherlock Holmes novels. He was a history buff and enjoyed reading about his American heritage. His passion was spending time on his cousin Dan's Montana farm, where he could drive combine and help with the harvest season. John loved people and enjoyed visiting and learning about their lives and back grounds, as no one was ever a stranger to him. His family will treasure memories and moments of laughter they shared with him. May his memory be blessed by all those who knew him. John is survived by his wife of 48 years, Deanne of Grand Forks, ND, son Timothy D. (Carol) Olson of Grand Forks; daughter Sheri (Howard) Walth of Bismarck, ND; Brother: Larry Olson of Bismarck, ND; Sisters: Lois (Jim) Hessler of Dickinson, ND; Connie (Rodger) Biggs of Ellendale, ND; Grandchildren: Jacob and Svea Olson; Alex, Jordan and Ryan Walth; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister, Roberta. Visitation will be Sunday, October 10th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a prayer service at 6:00 PM at Amundson Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at Faith Evangelical Free Church in Grand Forks on Monday, October 11th at 1:00 PM. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND.