Obituary for Clifford Gustav Olson
Clifford G. Olson age 93 of Edina, MN, died peacefully with family present on Saturday November 30, 2019. Born to Elsa Charlotte (Larson) Olson and Nils Gustav Olson (originally from Sweden) on February 6, 1926 in Minneapolis, MN. He married Marguerite Claire Johnson on December 27, 1949 in Minneapolis.
Cliff graduated from Minneapolis’ Washburn High School and attended Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN, later transferring to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, earning degrees in Naval Technology and Mechanical Engineering.
Cliff served as a naval officer in both World War II and the Korean conflict.
Cliff built his professional career with a number of companies including Westinghouse Electric, and Northern States Power, Allied Chemical, then returned to Minneapolis where he became a Vice President with the McKnight Companies. From there he went on to Phoenix, AZ where he co-founded the Arizona Property Management company. Later he returned to St. Paul, MN joining the First National Bank of St. Paul. As a community advocate along with then mayor, George Latimer, he brought a groundbreaking new strategy for energy production which combined co-generation, bioenergy and renewables to meet the city’s energy needs. District Energy was recognized as groundbreaking by many, including then President Jimmy Carter.
As an active volunteer, Cliff guided restoration work on the St. Paul Pioneer Endicot Building, Basilica of St. Mary, Minneapolis; Cathedral of St. Paul; St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity; and served on the St. Therese Foundation Board. He and Marguerite were long-time members and devoted volunteers at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Edina, MN. He was a lifetime member of the national association of Building Owners and Managers. They were avid tennis players, cyclists, and world travelers. But more than anything they enjoyed time with family and friends.
Cliff was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 67 years, Marguerite; and his brother Douglas J. Olson and son-in-law Jeffrey L. Mills. He is survived by his brother Roy H. Olson (Cammie) of Edina, MN; children, C. Matthew (Jenine); Jeffrey; Gregory (Heather); Miriam; grandchildren, Melanie Taylor (Troy), Brent, and Jason Gallant (Susan); Miriam Kosirog (Brad), Anders (Michelle), and Justin Olson (Sondra), Louisa Olson; Charlie, Kristin, and Leslie Olson; Marguerite Mills; 14 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; plus nieces, nephews, and many in-laws.
Mass of Christian Burial Monday December 9, 2019 11:00 a.m. at the Church of St. Patrick (Chapel) 6820 St. Patrick’s Lane. Visitation 1 hour prior to Mass only. Interment Lakewood Cemetery.
www.GILLBROTHERS.com
MINNEAPOLIS, MN 612 861 6088
Cliff graduated from Minneapolis’ Washburn High School and attended Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN, later transferring to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, earning degrees in Naval Technology and Mechanical Engineering.
Cliff served as a naval officer in both World War II and the Korean conflict.
Cliff built his professional career with a number of companies including Westinghouse Electric, and Northern States Power, Allied Chemical, then returned to Minneapolis where he became a Vice President with the McKnight Companies. From there he went on to Phoenix, AZ where he co-founded the Arizona Property Management company. Later he returned to St. Paul, MN joining the First National Bank of St. Paul. As a community advocate along with then mayor, George Latimer, he brought a groundbreaking new strategy for energy production which combined co-generation, bioenergy and renewables to meet the city’s energy needs. District Energy was recognized as groundbreaking by many, including then President Jimmy Carter.
As an active volunteer, Cliff guided restoration work on the St. Paul Pioneer Endicot Building, Basilica of St. Mary, Minneapolis; Cathedral of St. Paul; St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity; and served on the St. Therese Foundation Board. He and Marguerite were long-time members and devoted volunteers at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Edina, MN. He was a lifetime member of the national association of Building Owners and Managers. They were avid tennis players, cyclists, and world travelers. But more than anything they enjoyed time with family and friends.
Cliff was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 67 years, Marguerite; and his brother Douglas J. Olson and son-in-law Jeffrey L. Mills. He is survived by his brother Roy H. Olson (Cammie) of Edina, MN; children, C. Matthew (Jenine); Jeffrey; Gregory (Heather); Miriam; grandchildren, Melanie Taylor (Troy), Brent, and Jason Gallant (Susan); Miriam Kosirog (Brad), Anders (Michelle), and Justin Olson (Sondra), Louisa Olson; Charlie, Kristin, and Leslie Olson; Marguerite Mills; 14 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; plus nieces, nephews, and many in-laws.
Mass of Christian Burial Monday December 9, 2019 11:00 a.m. at the Church of St. Patrick (Chapel) 6820 St. Patrick’s Lane. Visitation 1 hour prior to Mass only. Interment Lakewood Cemetery.
www.GILLBROTHERS.com
MINNEAPOLIS, MN 612 861 6088