Verne Charles Olson
My brother, Verne C. Olson, was born January 23, 1933, at Whitehall Community Hospital, to Omer and Amanda Olson. He moved from Blair to Whitehall in 1938, and attended school, elementary through high school, graduating in 1951. Verne served in the U.S.A.F. from 1951–1955, two of those years in Anchorage and Fairbanks, AK. He stated that some day he would go back to Alaska on his own terms — and he did!
Verne attended Stout University and graduated with a degree in Industrial Arts Education. He married Mary Jane Sosalla while in college and, after graduating, moved to New Richmond where he taught for two years. Then an old friend of our father’s persuaded him to come to Trempealeau to head up their new Industrial Arts Department. So Verne, Mary and small daughter, Brenda, moved to Trempealeau where son, Todd, was born. After a few years, Verne heard of an opportunity at a vocational boarding school for native students in Nome, AK. He applied for the position, was hired, and he, along with Mary, Brenda and Todd, set out for Alaska in a large pickup on a very long trip.
They lived in Nome, AK, for two years and learned much about the native population, having students living with them. The family left Nome and went to Kodiak Island where Verne was an administrator. He had been working on an administrative degree from Winona State University. They lived there for three years.
They moved to Talkeetna, AK, where Verne was principal and oversaw the building of a new school. He had to travel to outlying schools and, in the winter, travel was by snowmobile, with a trusty gun at his side.
In summer, for several years, they spent the salmon fishing season on Moser Bay, on the Alaskan Peninsula. Verne’s parents spent one season with them.
One year, Verne went to Wales on the Bering Strait, and shot a polar bear. He had it made into a wall hanging that enhanced the walls of the house in Talkeetna.
He and Mary built a house on land that they purchased with money borrowed from a friend. It was many acres and proved to be very valuable.
Sadly, Mary didn’t live to see the newer house on the hill with a beautiful view of Denali. She died at the age of 42 after a long struggle and many attempts at a cure. She would have loved sitting on the deck, enjoying the view.
Over the past few years, Verne had lived in an assisted living residence in Wasilla where he passed, April 23, 2023. I miss speaking with him on the phone as that was our habit. Lately, since he went into hospice care, we talked more often. We took a few trips together in his motor home or in his camper truck. After nine trips to Alaska, I came to know some special people, all with a story to tell.
Verne is survived by his children: Todd, Brenda (Ron), Peter (Susan); grandchildren: Nick, Dana, Josie, Quinn and Colton; a sister, Rita Hegge; and many friends and relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary, and sister, Serena.
