James O. "Jim" Olson

James O. "Jim" Olson, age 81 of Hastings, died peacefully at home on Friday morning, August 3, 2018, following a brief illness. James Owen, the son of William V. and Ruby (Erickson) Olson, was born at his grandmothers home in Murdock, Minnesota on August 11, 1936. Following his graduation from Zumbrota High School with the class of 1954, Jim enlisted in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 1956. He began working as an over the road truck driver, and later for Boeing in North Dakota. On April 23, 1966, Jim was united in marriage to LaVonne "Vonnie" Buck in Goodhue. They moved to Hastings where Jim began working at Koch Refinery until partially retiring in 1996. He continued working at various jobs at Innovative Surfaces, Hastings Bus Company, and mowing lawns. Jim loved golfing, boating the St. Croix, and in his later years, reading. Jim and Vonnie are longtime members of St. Philips Lutheran Church in Hastings where they remained active in many various ways. He was preceded in death by his parents; by his brothers, Jon and William R. Olson; sister-in-law, Annie (Bernhard) Bartel; and brothers-in-law, Murland (Marcy) Buck and Dale (Johnell) Buck. Jim is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Vonnie; children, Melissa (Jay) Clarkson, Krissi Naumann, and David (Tanya) Olson; grandchildren, Zachary and Jake Naumann, Carlie Furlong, and Andrew and Emily Clarkson; sister, Sue Bakken; sisters-in-law, Carrie Olson and Lorraine Olson; brother-in-law, Calvin (Jeanette) Buck; and by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Memorial services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 8, 2018, at St. Philips Lutheran Church in Hastings, with Pastor Gregory Geier officiating. Following the service, Military Honors provided by the Hastings VFW Lyle Russell Post 1210 will be held. Interment will be held at 3:00 p.m. at Oakwood Cemetery in Red Wing. Visitation will be held 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening, and will continue for one hour prior to the service on Wednesday morning, all at church. No flowers please, Jims family kindly requests memorials be directed to St. Philips Lutheran Church, St. Jude Childrens Hospital, Hastings Family Service, or to the donors choice in his memory. Arrangements are being completed by Caturia, Smidt Starkson Funeral Home Crematory of Hastings.