Donald I. Olson

December 26, 1928 – March 14, 2012

Don will be remembered for his ministry, generosity, love to converse, passion for the future of the church and the nation, and genuine love of the Lord.

As a youth, he lived in various Minnesota towns, settling on a farm near Fosston. After high school he spent two years in the Navy, started college, and then worked as an electronics field technician with RCA, serving in Japan, New Jersey and lastly San Diego. In 1955, he graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN with a BA in Physics, and married Rosalie Negaard.

Sensing God’s call to ministry, in 1956 Don went to Luther Seminary, was ordained in 1960, and spent the next 32 years as a pastor and Navy chaplain. Don served Lutheran congregations in Wisconsin, Utah, and California, and in the Navy served aboard several ships interspersed with shore duty in South Carolina, California, Guam, Virginia, and Washington State. He also served 13 months in combat areas of Vietnam with the Marines, and was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat "V" (for valor).

Don is survived by Rosalie, children Erik (Joan), Leif (Stephanie) and Marit Vincent (Jerry), and five grandchildren. A visitation will be held 2:30 – 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 23, 2012 at Conrad Lemon Grove Mortuary (7387 Broadway – Lemon Grove, CA 91945), and the funeral at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 24, 2012 at First Presbyterian Church, 320 Date St., San Diego, CA 92101. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church or WoundedWarriorProject.com.