Mark Olson, age 68, of Willmar, died Friday, October 15, 2021, at his home from Multiple System Atrophy. His memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 23, at Faith Lutheran Church in Spicer. Visitation will be 4:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, October 22, at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Multiple System Atrophy Coalition or Special Olympics.
Mark Robert Olson was born June 11, 1953, in Willmar, Minnesota, the son of Arnold and Marion (Lovander) Olson. He grew up in rural Willmar and graduated from Willmar High School in 1971. On June 23, 1973, Mark married JoAnn Nygaard at Faith Lutheran Church in Spicer and they had two two children, Angela and Matthew.
Mark attended Ridgewater College and graduated from the accounting program in 1975. Mark began working in Marshall before returning to Willmar in 1979. Mark earned his CPA designation in 1985 and joined Conway, Deuth & Schmiesing, PLLP (CDS) and was admitted as partner in 1986. He worked for CDS for over 30 years before retiring. On May 28, 2011, Mark married Pamela (Swenson) Helland at their home northwest of Willmar.
Mark served in the U.S. Army Reserves for several years. He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Spicer, Ridgewater College Board, Dovre Township Board, and the Willmar Sertoma Club, and volunteered with Special Olympics for many years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing trips to Canada, riding motorcycles, cattle sorting and most of all, loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife: Pam Olson; their children: Angela (Ryan) Michelson of Willmar, Matthew Olson (Katie Alexander) of Shakopee, Nikki Helland (Eric Hanson) of St. Paul, Allison (John) Sill of Long Lake, and Jordan Helland (John Mazzitelli); and eight grandchildren: Jack, Henry and Evan Michelson, Sam and Alex Olson, Willa and Thea Hanson, and Hazel Sill. Also surviving are his siblings: Phillip (Gloria) Olson of Willmar, Kathy (Willie) Maas of Monticello, and David (Jannie) Olson of Glenwood, IA; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.
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