A Funeral Service for Merle “Stanley” Olson of Warroad, Mn will Be held on Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 1:00PM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Warroad, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will take place at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Warroad, MN.
Stanley was born in Salol, Minnesota on June 15, 1933, to Ingvald and Olga (Nelson) Olson. He grew up and attended school in Salol before enlisting in the United States Air Force in June 1952. Following basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, he served as an aircraft mechanic with postings in South Dakota, Hawaii, Guam, and Alaska. He was honorably discharged in June 1956.
After his military service, Stanley began his civilian career at Fredrickson’s Implement in Roseau, followed by OK Machine. In 1965, he started what would become a 30-year career at Marvin Windows and Doors, where he advanced from leadman to supervisor and ultimately to assistant production manager before retiring in 1995.
On July 31, 1959, Stanley was united in marriage to Wanda Urtel in Salol. Their union was blessed with four sons: James, Curtis, Richard, and David. Following their retirement in 1995, Stanley and Wanda enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, with visits to California, Arizona, Boston, and Kansas City, as well as numerous trips to Las Vegas, Elko, and Laughlin, Nevada. Their grandchildren brought them great joy, prompting many cherished trips to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the Twin Cities for holidays and family celebrations.
Stanley was preceded in death by his beloved wife Wanda, who passed away on March 28, 2019, shortly before what would have been their 60th wedding anniversary. He was also preceded in death by his parents; grandson Tony; two brothers, Ray and Baby Boy Olson; and five sisters: Joann, Ruby, Janice, Eilene, and Carol-Ann (Newell).
He is survived by his four sons: James and Curtis of Warroad, Richard (Sarah) of the Twin Cities, and David of Minneapolis, MN; four grandsons: Corey Olson of Rochester, MN, Jay and Charlie of Milwaukee, WI, and Sawyer of the Twin Cities; one brother, Ole (Shelia) of Roseau, MN; sister Mary-Ann Kristofferson of Roseau, MN; sister-in-law Liz (Maynard) Braaten; brother-in-law Fred Urtel; and several nieces and nephews.
May his memory be blessed.
Last modified: 05/05/2025
