Orval C Olson

Orval C. Olson, age 77 of St. Peter, passed away surrounded by his family August 24, 2011 at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato.

Funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, August 27, 2011 at the St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church with Rev. David Naumann officiating. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery. Visitation will be held 4 -7 p.m., Friday, August 26, 2011 at St. Peter Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials are preferred to American Heart Association.

Orval Carlton was born August 19, 1934 to Helmer and Gladys (Knudson) Olson in Albion Township, Brown County, MN. In 1951, he graduated from St. James High School. Orval attended Dunwoody Institute for welding. On October 14, 1967, Orval was united in marriage to Joyce Marcella Redning at the Norseland Lutheran Church in rural St. Peter. He worked for Year Round Cab Company before owning his own business, Olson Welding and Mfg in St. Peter. After retiring in 1992, Orval worked part-time for Hendrickson Organ in St. Peter. He enjoyed hunting, gardening, and watching the Twins. Orval loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Orval is survived by his wife of 43 years, Joyce; two daughters: Lisa (Steve) Cochran of Owatonna and Carla (Bill) Swanson of Fergus Falls; grandchildren: Tyler (Leah) Cochran and Emily Cochran all of Owatonna, and Olivia and Eric Swanson of Fergus Falls; siblings: Howard (LoVanelle) Olson of Nevis, Judy (Randy) Wells and Joyce (Mark) Ahlstrom all of New Brighton; sisters-in-law: Elaine Olson of St. Peter, and Janice Walker of Owatonna; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Orval was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers-in-law: Mahlon Olson and Darrell Walker.