Arvin Olson

Arvin Leroy Olson, 87, passed away on June 5, 2012 at Fargo’s Sanford Hospital. Arvin was born August 16, 1924 on the Lindback farm west of Twin Valley. He was a fourth generation Minnesotan, descending from Swedish and Norwegian immigrant farmers. His parents, Albert and Lilly (Lindback) Olson, raised him as they worked on area farms. Arvin graduated from Twin Valley High School in 1942. While growing up, Arvin’s uncle, Clifford Lindback, instilled in him a passion for music. He eventually learned to play the guitar and accordion and for the rest of his life, music was one of the greatest joys in his life. Shortly after high school graduation, Arvin was drafted into the Army during World War II. He was sent to Texas for training and was later stationed in the territory of Hawaii. Arvin served for nearly two years as a Corporal and was discharged in 1945. Upon returning from the war, Arvin moved to Minneapolis to work at Minneapolis Moline with two of his uncles. He lived with his aunt and uncle, Hannah and Otto Olson. Shortly after arriving in Minneapolis, Arvin started taking accordion lessons from a music conservatory. A few years later, he formed a dance band with two other musicians. First known as the Ar-Lu Trio, and later as the Starlighters, the band played old time music throughout the Twin Cities for over 25 years. In 1947, he met Evelyn Rose Ackerman at a friend’s wedding in Minneapolis. A year later on April 3, 1948, they were married and began their 64 years together. For forty years, Arvin and Evelyn lived in south Minneapolis. Their first son, Regie Alan was born there in May of 1950. However, 10 months later their son died unexpectedly, causing them their hardest days of their lives. Later Ricky Lynn was born in June 1952 and Sheryl Diane was born in January 1954. While raising their children, Arvin worked full-time and played in the dance band on weekends. However, he still found time to work in Boy Scouts, including serving as the Scout Master. One of his finest moments was watching Rick attain the rank of Eagle. In addition, he coached Little League baseball. Throughout these years, Arvin tried to instill a love of music to his children, encouraging them to take a variety of music lessons. In high school, Rick started his own dance band like his father. Arvin worked at Minneapolis Moline for ten years. Later he took a job as a materials manager for Univac. He retired from Univac in 1981 at age 57, after working for Univac for 25 years. Throughout his life he was active in the VFW in Minneapolis and in 1984-85, had the honor of serving as the Commander of the Everett McClay Post, the largest VFW in Minnesota. One of Arvin’s greatest memories was when he and Evelyn celebrated their 25th anniversary with a trip to Hawaii, where he had served during the war. They would later return to Hawaii with their entire family for their 50th anniversary. A new chapter in Arvin and Evelyn’s life began in 1984 with the birth of their first granddaughter, Lilly Katherine Olson Motl. In 1986, their second granddaughter, Hannah Elizabeth Olson Motl was born. He loved those girls and would welcome them on his lap in his “big chair” or on his tractor mower or fishing boat. After a few years of retirement, Arvin and Evelyn decided to move back to his family home in Twin Valley. They first moved to his family home in Heiberg, and then in 1986 built a home in Twin Valley. During these years of their lives, they enjoyed spending winters in Arizona and having a trailer house and boat on Twin Lakes. In-between fishing, watching television, and activities with their Arizona and Minnesota friends, Arvin was active in the American Legion in Twin Valley. One of his greatest legacies he left behind in Twin Valley was working to establish the Twin Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Later his efforts contributed to the addition of the flag memorials that now grace the Veterans Cemetery on Memorial Day and other special occasions. Eventually Arvin and Evelyn moved into the Lincoln Terrace and later the Normandy in Twin Valley. In the fall of 2010, they moved into the Twin Valley Living Center where he lived until his death in June. While at the Normandy, Arvin ironically found himself living between where his old high school once stood and the home of his Grandmother Ida Lindback and his Uncle Clifford’s home and garage that he helped to build. Arvin is survived by Evelyn, his devoted wife of 64 years, children Rick Olson and Sheryl Olson, daughter-in-law, Sharon Olson, and grandchildren Lilly Olson Motl and Hannah Olson Motl. He was preceded in death by his parents Albert and Lilly Olson, first-born son Regie, and many of his friends. He will be laid to rest proudly next to his parents and Regie in the Twin Valley Veterans Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials should be directed to the maintenance fund of the Twin Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery through the Twin Valley American Legion or Zion Lutheran Church in Twin Valley. After playing music nearly his entire life, Arvin has surely joined the heavenly host in filling heaven with music to glorify his Creator. Funeral Services were held Friday, June 8, 2012 at 10:30 AM in Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley. Visitation was Thursday, June 7, from 6PM to 7PM with a Prayer Service at 6:30PM in the Twin Valley Living Center, Twin Valley. Visitation was also be one hour before services at the church on Friday. Interment was in Twin Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Twin Valley.

Arvin Olson

August 16, 1924 - June 5, 2012