Carl Olson
Carl V. Olson, 87, of Watford City, N.D., passed away peacefully in his home on February 21, 2017.
Carl was born July 1, 1929, to a Swedish Immigrant father, Gotfred Olson, and a Norwegian Mother, Grace (Dahl) Olson.
Carl spent his early years on the family farm north of Watford City. He was the oldest of eight children. At a very young age, Carl’s father began to suffer strokes which affected his ability to continue farming. Carl completed four grades of elementary school and then had to help with the farm work. He became a self-made man and learned most of what he knew through the school of hard knocks.
On Oct. 26, 1948, he married a neighbor girl, Marion Thompson. In their early years of marriage, Carl and Marion worked for area ranchers. After the birth of their third daughter, Carl began to work for a seismograph crew. The family traveled and lived from N.D. to Texas, and all the states in between. They also lived in Miss. With the three oldest girls in school, frequent moves made it difficult to establish roots. In 1956, they returned to Watford City living in a house across the coulee from Marion’s parents. There was no running water or electricity at that time. Carl began working in the oil fields as a rig hand. Later he went to work for OK Implement and the family moved to their permanent residence in Watford City. When daughter three was eight years old, another daughter was born and three years later the baby of the family was added. In 1968 Carl, with help from Carl Bolken and his brothers, added an addition onto the family home.
Carl also had a custom combining business for many years. His last job was as a mechanic for Koch Oil Company. Carl was an avid hunter and fisherman, he and his wife also enjoyed gardening for many years. After retirement Carl worked for a local farmer helping with his yearly crop seeding. Carl was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, North American Fishing Club and North American Hunting Club, and The NRA.
Carl is survived by his daughters, Carla Rodriguez, Chino, CA; Vonnie (Dennis) Johnson, Watford City, N.D.; Vicki (Dan) Rue, Brooklyn Park, Minn.; Cathy Jo (Clifford) Fegert, Fuquay-Varina, N.C.; brothers, Donald (Sharon) Olson and Edwin (Beverly) Olson, Watford City. Sisters, Anna (Herman C) Thompson, Watford City, N.D.; Shirley Lindeman, Thief River Falls, Minn. brothers in law, Herman C. Thompson, David Thompson, Doug Thompson, Robert Thompson, Sister in law, Marilyn Caskey. 14 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents. Wife Marion in 1994; oldest daughter, Cheryl Mattis; granddaughter, Kristy Mattis; brothers, Richard and Alvin Olson; Sister, Sigrid Gierke. Brothers in Law, Leonard Thompson, Ronald Thompson; and sisters in law, Patsy Paul and Alice White.
His funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m., Sat., Feb. 25, 2017, at First Lutheran Church, Watford City, N.D. Reverend Mark Honstein officiated. Interment was in Garden Cemetery, northeast of Watford City.
His funeral arrangements are with Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Watford City. Friends may sign the on-line register and give their condolences at www.fulkersons.com