Noel was born April 23, 1926 to Reverend Andrew and Madge Olsen in Broadview, MT. His early years were spent in Nebraska and Montana graduating from Saco High School in Saco, Montana. During his high school years he received Jesus Christ as his Savior. After graduation he left for Portland, Oregon to enter Multnomah Bible College (now Multnomah University) to prepare to become a pastor.
He met his future wife, Lorraine Denney while attending Multnomah. After graduating from Multnomah he attended Seattle Pacific College (now Seattle Pacific University). After some time at SPC he wanted to get started in the pastorate and accepted the call to pastor at North Bonneville, Washington.
On June 4, 1948 he and Lorraine Denney were married in Portland, Oregon which began a lifetime together lasting one month short of 70 years.
After pastoring at North Bonneville, where their first daughter, Virginia was born they moved on to Fort Dick in northern California. While there he established the Fork Dick Bible Church as well as working in the logging industry with his three brother-in-law’s at Denney Logging Company. Also in Fork Dick their son, Ron and daughter, Barbara were born.
While at Fort Dick he had a growing desire to see other bible believing churches started around the northwest where there was a need. As a result he co-founded the Northwest Independent Church Extension (N.I.C.E.) in 1958 that still exists today and has established over 200 churches.
Noel pastored churches in California, Oregon and Washington until 1991 with one of his last pastorates being at Memorial Bible Church here in Yakima where he pastored for 10 years. Also during his ministry years he was a member of I.F.C.A. International, a fellowship of pastors serving on their Board of Trustees for several terms. Noel also served on the Board of Trustees of Multnomah University for over 10 years. After he retired from pastoring churches he continued with N.I.C.E. as their Pastor to Pastors ministering to pastors throughout the Northwest. After his retirement he also served as interim pastor in Hillsboro, Oregon, Sun Valley, Idaho and Harrah, Washington.
In his later years due to failing health he could no longer travel so he would do counselling by phone with pastors.
Noel is survived by his wife, Lorraine, his three children Virginia Folkman, Ron Olsen and wife Patty, and Barb Stuck and husband Laurie all of Yakima Washington, as well as 12 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his two sisters, Mabel Olsen of Portland, Oregon and Emmaline Bramble of West Linn, Oregon.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 9 at 11:00 am at Memorial Bible Church, 111 Old Stage Way, Yakima, WA.
In lieu of flowers we would ask that any donations be made to N.I.C.E., P.O. Box 2225, Sumner, WA 98390.
