Edward Louie Olson, 75 of Mankato, died Tuesday, July 19, 2016 at Ecumen Pathstone Living in Mankato.
Funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Monday, July 25, 2016 at Northview North Mankato Mortuary (2060 Commerce Drive, North Mankato, MN 56003) with visitation one hour prior to the service. Pastor Jay Dahlvang will officiate. Burial will be at the Geneva Cemetery in Geneva, MN. www.mankatomortuary.com
Edward was born to Louis and Mary Emma (Smith) Olson on August 29, 1940 in Ellendale, MN. He was raised on a farm and attended school in Ellendale where he graduated from high school in 1958. He loved the farm. He went to college at Mankato State College and graduated with a B.S. degree in Mathematics in 1962. He taught high school mathematics in Cannon Falls, MN and took graduate courses at Mankato State College from 1962 to 1967 where he earned his Master’s Degree. He also was a recipient of National Science Foundation Summer School Grants, which enabled him to take courses at Oregon State University and Iowa State University. In 1967, he married Diann Hedin in Cannon Falls, and in 1979, they had a wonderful and devoted son, Keith. Edward and Diann divorced in 1991. Edward entered a doctoral program at The Ohio State University in 1967. In 1969, he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and moved back to Minnesota. He taught mathematics at Mankato State College from 1969 until he retired in 1996. He was a dedicated teacher and cared a great deal about his students. He also operated an Income Tax Preparation Practice. He has resided at Pathstone Living since 1997.
Edward was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. He also belonged to several education and business organizations. He enjoyed spending time with, talking with, and exchanging e-mails with his son, Keith. He also enjoyed anything having to do with farming and fishing, surfing the net, playing cards, watching the Twins and other sports teams, and visiting with family and friends.
Edward is survived by his loving son and daughter-in-law, Keith and Lindsay Olson of Edina, MN; sisters, Christena (Robert) Gasner of Ellendale, MN and Deloris Olson of Owatonna, MN; nephew, David Gasner and his children of Hugo, MN; and niece, Sharon (Donald) Ramaker and their children of Ellendale, MN; and ex-wife and friend, Diann Olson of Mankato, MN.
Edward was preceded in death by his father, Louis Olson; and mother, Mary Emma Olson.
Edward’s family would like to extend a sincere thank you to all of the nurses and staff at Pathstone Living for the 19 years of love and care they provided. They have been absolutely wonderful in caring for and caring about Edward.