Aberdeen: The funeral service for Gaylen Olsen, 93, of Aberdeen will be 2 p.m. Monday, June 3, 2013, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, with Pastor Jeff Whillock officiating.
Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Aberdeen, with military honors by Sidney L. Smith American Legion Post No. 24.
Gaylen died Wednesday, May 29, 2013, at ManorCare Health Services.
Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, with family present from 4 to 6 p.m., at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 S. Main St., and from 1:30 p.m. until the service at the church on Monday.
Gaylen K. Olsen was born Jan. 13, 1920, to Sigurd and Ada (Tviet) Olsen in Frederick, S.D. He grew up and helped his father on the family farm. Gaylen received his education at country schools in the Frederick area. He joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and honorably served his country in World War II.
On June 28, 1947, Gaylen married Gladys Marie Harrington in Frederick. They moved to Aberdeen and Gaylen started his career with Northwestern Bell Telephone Company. Gaylen and Gladys were active in Aberdeen Telco Federal Credit Union, now known as Consolidated Hub-Co Federal Credit Union. Gaylen retired after 32 years with Northwestern Bell. Gladys passed away on Dec. 9, 2005, in Aberdeen.
Gaylen was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, where both he and Gladys were very active volunteers. Gaylen drove the church bus and spent many hours working on the yard at the church. He was a proud member of the American Legion in Aberdeen. In his younger years, Gaylen enjoyed hunting and fishing. He liked to golf and was an avid bowler. Woodworking was a favorite pastime of Gaylen's.
Grateful for having shared Gaylen's life are his son, Michael (Pat) Olsen, Aberdeen; daughter, Gaileen (Jerry) Gramling, Mandan, N.D.; two sisters: Eileen and Teresa; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and one great-great granddaughter.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Sigurd and Ada; his loving wife, Gladys; one daughter; four brothers: Roland, Roger, E. Merrile and Sigurd Olsen; and two sisters: Virginia and Catherine.
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