Dr. Lowell Arthur Olson

Dr. Lowell Arthur Olson, age 95, passed peacefully in Seattle, Washington on March 20, 2018. He was preceded in death by his cherished wife of 68 years, Carol Louise (Peterson) Olson on February 3, 2016. He was born July 14, 1922 in Menomonee, Wisconsin to loving parents, Olaf Arthur Olson and Ethel Marie (Larson) Olson. “Bud,” as he was affectionally known as a boy, had two wonderful younger sisters, LaRaine and Dorothy “Dode.” They had a wonderful childhood growing up on a farm on the shores of Lake Superior. As a youth, Bud started the Olson Honey Company raising bees, pollinating nearby farms with his 50 hives and selling honey on contract to Coca Cola. After entering the U.S. Army at the outset of WWII, he reported to Fort Riley, Kansas and was selected by the Army to attend Yale University and Marquette University Dental School to ensure the Army had sufficient Dentists and Physicians for the war effort. He remained in the U.S. Army Reserve for 20 years, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. After leaving active duty, he graduated from Marquette University Dental School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he met his future wife, Carol. They married in September 1948 and settled in Superior, Wisconsin. Their children, Deborah Ann and Bruce Arthur were born in Wisconsin and following their move to Seattle, Washington in 1953, their youngest daughter, Susan Marie, was born. Lowell and Carol first moved to the Broadview neighborhood and, later built their dream home designed by renowned Architect, Roland Terry.

Having a keen interest in Northwest architecture, Dr. Olson retained Architect Paul Hayden Kirk to build his Medical-Dental building in North Seattle in 1953 and practiced General Dentistry for the next 35 years, until his retirement in 1988. He was an avid skier, golfer and boater, devoted family man, cherished friend, Mason and life-long member of Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church. Following retirement, he built a home in sunny Tucson, Arizona where he was a founding member of Resurrection Lutheran Church. He enjoyed family, friends, reading, travel, golf, genealogy and jewelry making in his retirement.

He is survived by his three loving children, Deborah, Bruce (Linda) and Susan, eight devoted grandchildren and 11 wonderful great grandchildren. He was revered and loved by all who knew him. He was an exemplary role model, a wise and precious soul, a renaissance man, our patriarch and a member of the “Greatest Generation” who will be dearly missed by all of those who shared his life and loved him so dearly. He is now with God and his beloved wife, Carol.

His funeral will be held at 9:00 am at Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church in Seattle, Washington on April 7, 2018. Reception will follow. He will be buried with Military Honors. Remembrances may be made in honor of his life to Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington.