Gaylen Olson

Gaylen Olson, 82, of Superior, WI, died Thursday, March 16, 2023 at Essentia Health, St. Mary's Hospital
Duluth MN surrounded by his family with a bedside service. Gaylen was born on April 15, 1940 to Oscar
and Emma Olson in Westhope, ND. Following high school, Gaylen served in the Army, where he was
stationed in Greece. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in teaching from Mayville State University in North
Dakota. After his education Gaylen married Kathryn Anna Whitney. Gaylen taught in Walhalla, North
Dakota, and Birchwood, Wisconsin before moving to Colfax, Wisconsin. He purchased the Coast to Coast
Hardware store in Colfax, WI and was the owner for 18 years. He then worked for Swiss Miss Company in
Menominee, WI while also working as a substitute teacher, and drivers education instructor in Eau
Claire. Following the death of his first wife, in 1996, he married Kathy Petersen and moved to Eleva, WI in
1999. He and Kathy moved to Superior, WI in 2014. Gaylen was a member of the Masonic Lodge and
Scottish Rite in Colfax and the American Legion Post 435 in Superior, WI where he was also a member of
their Honor Guard. He enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing, four wheeling, bowling, and watching sports
especially the Packers. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Kathryn Anna; and a sister,
Beverly Jane Brickner. Gaylen is survived by his wife, Kathy; a daughter, Gail Lynn Olson of Green Lake,
WI; a son, Jeffrey Scott (Deborah) Olson of San Marcos, TX; two step-sons, Tom Petersen of Edgerton, WI
and Bob (Danielle) Petersen of Farmington, MN; a brother, Donald James (Kathryn) Olson of Sioux Falls,
SD; grandchildren, Nate, Kathryn, Karl, Kaitlyn, Scott, AJ, Renee, Jessica, Rachel, Ryan and Gabi. Many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A Celebration of Life service 11 am Saturday, June 10, 2023 at Williams Lobermeier Boettcher Funeral Home. 3208 West 3^rd St , Duluth, MN. Visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial 5:00 pm Saturday, June 10, 2023 at the Holden Lutheran Cemetery, Colfax, WI. All donations will be given to Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center, Superior, WI. The service will be livestreamed starting at 10:55 am, the link is www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057452890892