Dennis Funeral Homes

BLAIR M. OLSON, age 83 of Faribault, Minnesota formerly of Apple Valley, Minnesota died on Thursday, April 29, 2010 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.

Born on January 30, 1927 in Brookings, South Dakota he was the son of Lawrence and Lola (Hanson) Olson.  He attended school in Brookings until moving to Minot, ND where he graduated from high school.  He later attended Minot State College before graduating from the University of North Dakota with a degree in business.  Blair married Mary Lou “Jan” Jannsen on May 9, 1953 in Cherryville, Oregon.  He served in the U.S. Navy as a corpsman during WWII and Korea and was discharged in 1954.  Following his honorable discharge, Blair bought into the family clothing store with his father, Olson’s Clothiers in Minot.  After his father died, he designed and built a new upscale men’s clothing store which he continued to operate until selling in the late 70’s.  He then worked as a real estate agent at Watne Realty in Minot for nine years before moving to Burnsville where he continued to work in real estate.  In March of 2009 Blair and Jan moved to Faribault to live with their son and his family.  He enjoyed hunting, gardening, cats and grandkids.  Blair was a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville.

He is survived by his wife, Jan of Faribault; two children, Cindy L. Olson of Lakeville and David Blair (Ruth Ann) Olson of Faribault; and three grandchildren, Cassie Renee Garbe, Andrew Lawrence Olson, and William David Olson.  He is also survived by one sister, Marilyn McNea of Longmont, CO, and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ross and Karol Jannsen and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother-in-law, Lloyd McNea.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, May 8, 2010 at 2:00 PM at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville.  Burial will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.  Visitation will be held on Saturday, one hour before services at the church.  Memorials are preferred to the American Heart Association. 

Click for directions to Prince of Peace Church in Burnsville.