Jere Lee Olson

Audio of Jere's service will be available on radio for those who prefer to remain in their vehicle and also live-streaming from the Kerkhoven Lutheran Church Facebook page. 

Jere Lee Olson, 64, of Kerkhoven, died Sunday, June 7th at Glacial Ridge Health System in Glenwood. His funeral service will be at 2:00 pm, Sunday, June 14th at the Jere Olson Farm (1570 60th ST SE, Kerkhoven) with a visitation one hour prior to his service. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery in Kerkhoven. His family requests that you dress casual and to bring your own chair. Friends with motorcycles are encouraged to ride them to his service. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Kerkhoven. www.hafh.org Jere’s service will be livestreamed on Facebook and also on FM101.9 if you’re within proximity to the farm.

Jere Lee Olson was born May 14, 1956, in Willmar, the son of Harry and Elaine (Ziehl) Olson. He was baptized and later confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Raymond. He grew up in Raymond where he attended elementary school and graduated from Raymond High School in 1974. He furthered his education at Willmar Vo-Tech where he studied to be a Diesel Mechanic. On December 5, 1975, Jere was united in marriage to Zoe Valentine at Kerkhoven Lutheran Church. They lived near Raymond shortly before buying their farm north of Kerkhoven.  They were blessed with three daughters: Lora, Denice and Kimberly and nine grandchildren.  Jere loved to spend time with his family, especially his grandkids. Every year he looked forward to hosting the Olson Sweet Corn Feed. Jere was a hard working farmer who had a fun-loving personality.  Like many farmers he was a jack of all trades and had many part time jobs working as a mechanic, welder, milkman and mailman.  He spent time going on motorcycle trips on his Honda Goldwing with his wife and friends traveling all over the United States. Jere and Zoe spent winters staying warm in Arizona. He also enjoyed playing cards, camping, and pontoon rides on Lake Scandi. Jere and Zoe recently treated their family to a Disney Cruise where many awesome memories were made.  Jere was a loving husband, son, brother, dad, uncle, grandpa, and friend.

Jere is survived by his loving wife, Zoe; daughters: Lora (and Chad) Taatjes of Raymond and their children: Morgan, Jocelyn and Oliver; Denice (and David) Cortez of Sedalia, CO and their children: Braydon, Rebekah and Colin; and Kimberly (and Mike) Harkema of Kerkhoven and their children: Jay, Zoey and Henry. He is also survived by his mother, Elaine Olson and siblings: Roger (and Carol) Olson and Marjorie (and Brad) Ruppert; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Harry Olson; brother, Randall Olson; sister, Audrey Lester; and son-in-law, Robbie Kosmalski.

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