A Great Man

David Olson
Dec. 19, 1919- Oct. 31, 2012

Dave Olson was born in Oakland on December 19, 1919 to Swedish immigrants Hjalmar and Ellen Olson. He had a sister Evelyn Johnson (deceased), and a brother Stanley Olson of Castro Valley. He lived and was educated in Oakland. At the age of 17, he met his future wife, Renie Lindquist. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this year.
Dave joined the Army in 1942 and served in Europe and Japan for four years. His most memorable moment was when his unit liberated a women's concentration camp in Poland.
Dave and Renie had four children: Dave Olson, Kris Olson Bruerton, Sam Olson, and Tracy Olson Young, eight grandchildren; Dylan, Cassidy, Sonnet, Zack, Sammy, Kristian (deceased), Kysa, Clara, and nine great-grandchildren.
For 25 years he worked in the family meat market business, followed by eight years in the sales and marketing of building materials. He ended his working career as Director of Mission Springs Conference Grounds. Dave retired in 1981.
During this last phase of his life he lived in Scotts Valley and became involved in the Swedish-American Society, Community Covenant Church and the Santa Cruz Woodcarvers Group. In these groups Dave made many close friends.
Dave and his wife Renie resided in their family home until his death on October 31, 2012.