James B. Olson

James Bernard Olson died in Fargo, ND, on April 27, 2023, at the age of 70. Linda, his wife of 48 years, and other family members were at his side. He wasn’t always good at following rules and did things his own way, even up to the day he died. The family is grateful for the exceptional care shown by the staff at Fargo Elim, where he got to spend his final days with Linda by his side.

He spent many years experiencing severe pain, but never wanted that to be the focus. He loved talking with other people, was an excellent listener, and was able to make connections with people in a matter of minutes. Jim enjoyed giving gifts to others, whether people wanted them or not. 

Jim valued family and relationships over material possessions. He talked with his brother, Joe, on a nearly daily basis. Jim and Linda welcomed his parents, Orville and Shirley, into their home and cared for them in their final years.

He was born at a young age on May 5, 1952, in Clarion, IA, and moved to Fergus Falls, MN, after his father entered the Lutheran Brethren Seminary (LBS), which began a lifetime of many moves. Jim lived in Japan, where his parents served as missionaries, Fergus Falls where he attended Hillcrest Lutheran Academy, and Vietnam when he joined the Army after high school. Upon receiving an honorable discharge from the Army, he started school at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in two years. Jim married Linda Erickson on December 28, 1974, at Triumph Lutheran Brethren Church.

Jim spent his career serving people. While working for the Social Security Administration in St. Paul and Boston, he felt a call to ministry and entered seminary (LBS). After serving a church in Hatton, ND, he began a career as a nursing home administrator because of a desire to share Jesus with people in their final years of life. He served in this role in Steele, Erskine, Austin, and Houston.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Orville and Shirley; his brother, Dennis; and his parents-in-law, Wally and Jewell.

He is survived by his wife Linda; brothers, David and Joe; children, Rachel, John (Caristy), and Ole (Kim); grandchildren, Ingrid, Kale, Daniel, Reagan, Nikolas, Mikah, Hadassah, Steven, Gideon, Stella, and Evelyn; and special family.

Visitation for Jim will be Tuesday, May 2, 2023, from 5 – 7 PM, with a prayer service at 6:30 PM, in Korsmo Funeral and Cremation Service, Moorhead.  The funeral service will be Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at 11 AM, in Triumph Lutheran Brethren Church – West Campus, West Fargo, ND.

Memorials can be sent to the Lutheran Brethren Seminary (J&L Scholarship) - 1020 W. Alcott Ave, Fergus Falls, MN, 56537 or given online - www.clba.org  For convenience, you may follow this link:    J & L Scholarship