Marvin Kenneth Olson

He was the first and only child of Clarence and Inga (Olson) Olson.

Ken graduated from Northwood High School in 1937 and married the love of his life, Bernice Aasen, on November 7, 1937. In 1940, they moved to southern California with their first born child, Patricia (Patty), who was very young at the time, and settled in Altadena, CA.

From 1940-1942, Ken was employed with the J. Fuller Company in Los Angeles, CA. His job was to set up and operate an electrically covered roller mill used to grind paint and enamel pigments.

From 1942-1944, Ken was employed with Lockheed Aircraft Corporation. His position as an Aircraft Assembler required assembling hydraulic landing gear and structural parts of wings. He also applied metal skip to aircraft parts using an electric drill and pneumatic rivet gun.

In 1944, Ken enlisted into the US Army and was stationed at Fort MacArthur, CA. He was a Staff Sargent and served as a Medic in the Philippines. During his term of service, Ken received the Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Service Medal with one Bronze service star, the Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal (Japan). Ken was honorably discharged on August 1, 1946.

After his return home from the war, Ken established Pasadena Refinishing Service which he owned and operated for over 20 years.

Ken & Bernice had their second child, a son James (Jim) in 1948.

In 1967, they moved to Carlsbad, California.

Ken was raised and confirmed in the Lutheran Church and was a strong follower of the Lord. After moving to Carlsbad, he and Bernice became members of the Presbyterian Church and he has attended Village Presbyterian Church in Rancho Santa Fe for the past several years.

After retirement, Ken and Bernice took up golf and both are proud members of the ”Hole in One” club! They also spent time traveling, spending time with family and friends and shared a love of country music.

After 67 years of marriage, his beloved wife, Bernice, passed away on August 16, 2005.

Ken moved from his house in Carlsbad to the retirement community of La Costa Glen in January 2007. He quickly got into his “routine” which included daily walks, Bible Study and dinner every day at the same time at the same table in the dining room!

A few weeks ago, Ken’s heart weakened due to a silent heart attack. He was moved to the Skilled Nursing unit at Glenbrook on Wednesday afternoon (Nov 9) and passed away peacefully on Friday night (Nov 11) with his son, Jim, and daughter-in-law, Marci, by his side. Friday was also Veteran’s Day (11-11-11) which was a tribute to Ken’s service to our country. Ken was 92 years old.

Ken is survived by his 2 children, Patricia Frankel, from Bal Harbour, Florida and Jim Olson, from Del Mar, California and his daughter-in-law, Marci Olson.

Ken has 6 granddaughters – Patricia’s daughters, Jamie Herman from Sherman Oaks, California, Christy Rautbord from Surfside, Florida and Ali Sinnes from Miami Beach, Florida. Jim’s daughters, Keri Olson from Portland, Oregon, Jennifer Murray from Whitefish, Montana and Natalie Olson from San Diego, California. He also has 3 grand son-in-laws – Ali’s husband, Aaron, Keri’s husband, Tom and Jennifer’s husband, Ryan.

Ken was also blessed to have 9 Great Grandchildren - Justin, Zachary &Tess, Aaron & Benjamin, Avery & Madeline and Claire & Annika. He was also looking forward to meeting his 10th great grandchild who is due in May 2012.

The family requests any donations be sent to Village Presbyterian Church at P.O. Box 704, Rancho Santa Fe, CA. 92067.