Ramon Olson Obituary

Welcome, good and faithful servant. (Matthew 25:23)
In January 2025, Reverand Ramon Olson, at the age of 81, was welcomed with open arms by his Lord and all the angels.
His parents, Reuben and Margaret; half siblings, Marion, Genevieve, and Vernon, other family and friends welcomed him with loving embrace at their great reunion.
Ramon spent his younger years in Minneapolis, MN where his mother ran a board and care home for the elderly. For fun his Dad ran a dance hall and smorgasbord (his dad was VERY Swedish!). His mom was a wonderful cook and made THE best lemon meringue pie EVER –- lip smacking good!
When Ramon was about 5 years old, they moved to the country. Favorite activities included riding his horse, playing baseball, and watching old classic movies with his mom and grandma.
Growing up, he was a Cub Scout and as an adult, he started a Boy Scout troop and served as Scout Master. He was inducted into the Boy Scout Order of the Arrow.
As a teenager, the kids on the school bus repeatedly invited him to youth activities at West Bethel Methodist church and to roller-skating parties. He finally went and was hooked! They played games (like Winkum), led and shared devotions and sang in the choir. He also met one special teenage girl, Vonda, who became the center of his life. (He was such a flirt!)
He graduated from St. Francis High School (Go Fighting Saints!!) and later married his sweetheart, Vonda.
Ramon earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Cloud State College majoring in speech with a biology minor.
Next up, he, Vonda, and son, Tim, moved to southeast Nebraska where Ramon ministered to two small Methodist churches while attending seminary at St. Paul's School of Theology-Methodist, Kansas City, Missouri. (Ask Vonda about why she received yellow roses.) Ramon earned his Master of Divinity in the spring when Tim graduated from kindergarten.
During his professional ministry, he pastored six parishes (for a total of 13 churches) in Minnesota before retirement in 2006.
At each church, he wholeheartedly shared his strong voice by singing in the choir, providing special music, and leading congregational singing from the pulpit.
He was a guiding light to many including three young men who became Methodist ministers.
If there was a whisper from someone wanting to go fishing, camping, golfing, canoeing, or a trip to the Boundary Waters in Minnesota, he was there in a heartbeat.
There were many accomplishments during his ministry, one lifetime goal was to conduct a Vacation Bible School at the White Earth Indian Reservation in northwestern Minnesota which he accomplished with help from the Duluth Area Council on Methodist Ministries.
As retirement approached, he and Vonda traveled to Nassau in the Bahamas and Nevis Island in the West Indies to assist with building projects.
With all his accomplishments, he was most proud of his family.
Promotion to Dad, Grandpa, and Great Grandpa, filled his heart with SO much love and pride. He took this promotion seriously with piggyback rides, play time with baby dolls, cars and trucks, attending sport and music events, and sharing his love for fishing, camping, and canoeing which was ALL bliss for Ramon.
Ramon will be remembered for his kind heart, his big boisterous laugh (which would leave Vonda and family embarrassed at times), connection with young people, his unique gift for remembering people's names, and sharing his light with others.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Vonda, his son. Timothy (Shari) Olson, daughter, Kristina (Scott) Weber, 6 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, 2 nephews, 5 nieces and their extended families.
Ramon's life will be celebrated on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Glendale United Methodist Church, 13550 Glendale Rd, Savage, MN 55378. Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM and continue to 1:45 PM; the Celebration of Ramon's Life will comence at 2:00 PM. A light luncheon will follow the service.
The family requests NO FLOWERS.
All memorial money received will be given to the hockey program at Heritage Sports Center Foundation in Duluth, MN. The family will match donations in memory of Ramon.
At St. Francis school, Ramon generously lent his hockey skates to classmates resulting in him sitting on the sidelines. This donation will provide equipment and ice time so youngsters can fully participate.
Honor Ramon's memory, let your light shine.
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