Roger Harry Olson

Roger Harry Olson, 79, of Centralia, Wash., passed away Jan. 12, 2017, at Providence Centralia Hospital. He was born to Harry and Alice (Eckstrom) Olson July 14, 1937, in Saint Paul, Minn. Roger was raised in New Brighton, Minn., and graduated from Mounds View High School in 1957.

On Jan. 31, 1959, Roger married the love of his life, Beverly Anna Kristyniak in Maison City, Iowa. They were blessed with five children.

Roger was a lifetime employee of Burlington Northern Railroad, as a member of the Division of Safety and Police.

Roger was recognized for his volunteer commitments in both Minnesota and Washington. He served as a volunteer firefighter in his hometown of New Brighton from 1961 to 1983, and was recognized for his volunteerism at the Lewis County Salvation Army, where he spent countless hours stocking the food shelf and assisting the clients. He worked with law enforcement agencies in Washington State and volunteered to speak with school children and the general public about railway safety, drinking and driving, and firearm safety. At the end of his life, he was a staunch democrat shaking his head at current politics. He was also the recipient of the Eli Lilly Medal for surviving type 1 diabetes for over 50 years.

He was a beloved husband, father, citizen and neighbor. The history and people of his hometown of New Brighton, Minn., remained in his heart and he was grateful to all those who remained with him throughout his life. Roger will be missed by all those who had the privilege of meeting him. One of his favorite sayings was, “It takes a village.” His spirit will remain with all of us.

The family would like to thank the staff and residents of Sharon Care Nursing Home in Centralia for their kindness and the happiness they brought Roger during his stay.

Roger is preceded in death by his parents and siblings.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly Olson; children, Elizabeth (Brian) Jendro of Huntsville, Ala., Mary Jo Olson of Roseville, Minn., Daniel (Mary) Olson of New Brighton, Minn., Amy Olson of Roseville, Minn., and Erik (Shannon) Olson of Centralia, Wash.; grandchildren, Jason and Jessica Jendro, Nicole and Ashley Olson, Taylor and Ali Hieb and Abigail Matheis; great-grandchildren, Jack, Asher and Charlotte Jendro and Parker Olson; other family members include Deanna Casale, Sara and Linda Matheis; and countless nieces and nephews.

To celebrate Rogers’s life, there will be an open house from 11:30 am.. to 2:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017, at the Riverside Fire Authority, 1818 Harrison Ave, Centralia, Wash. Memorials may be donations to your local Salvation Army, the Juvenile Diabetes Association, 26 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10004, www.jdrf.org/donate or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl., Memphis, TN 38105, www.stjude.org/donate.

Celebration of Life Open House: Jan. 26, 2017, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Riverside Fire Authority, 1818 Harrison Ave., Centralia, WA.