Harmon Dean Olson

Harmon Dean Olson, 91, of La Crosse, passed away at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center on Wednesday, March 26, 2015.

He was born on June 27, 1923, in Prosper, Minnesota, to John and Clarice (Thompson) Olson. Dean moved with his mom and dad, brothers, Roger and Galen, and sister, Eris Ann, to La Crescent, Minn., when he was thirteen. Dean was afflicted at a very young age with polio which settled in his right shoulder and arm. This did not inhibit him from doing the things he enjoyed, as he was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying skiing, hunting, fishing, tennis, golf, and biking. He was a member of the Gopher State Sportman’s Club.

Dean married Dorothy M. Kistler and they had eight children together – Dennis, John, Nancy, Gary, Gregory, Daniel, Mary Beth, and Mark. Dorothy died in 1977. He later married Arvilla “Joyce” Beranek on September 12, 1987.

Dean graduated from La Crosse Central High School then attended Coleman Vocational School to become a draftsman. He worked at Trane Company for 43 years as a draftsman. Dean enjoyed listening to jazz and you could find him at the Riverside Bandshell listening to local entertainment with his wife on summer evenings. Dean also loved going to the Merit Center, where he enjoyed visiting with staff and other clients.

Everyone who knew Dean came to appreciate his dry wit and helpful nature. Even as his health deteriorated, he never complained, and he was always willing to lend a helping hand to others.

Dean is survived by his wife, Arvilla; brothers, Roger and Galen (Kay Krumenauer); son, John (Kathy) Olson and their daughters, Bethany (Kevin) Henry, Natalie (Tim) Johnson, and Laura (Jonathan) Oebser; son, Gary (Karen Lee) Olson and his son, Scott Allen (friend, Cindy); son, Daniel Olson and his son, Eric (Amanda) Olson; son, Mark (PeriAnne) Olson and their children, Benjamin, Lucas, and Taylor; and daughter, Mary Beth (Terry) Wieser and their children, Alex (Kendra) Wieser, Elliott (Shana) Wieser, Austin Wieser (Megan), Tessa (Adam) Peterson, and Gabriel Wieser; and 22 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his step-children, Vicki (Glen) Slaats, Howard (Tammy) Beranek, and Greg Beranek, along with six step-grandchildren. Dean was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dorothy; sister, Eris Ann; sister-in-law, Joyce Olson; daughter-in-law, Susan Olson; children, Dennis, Nancy, and Gregory; and grandson, Ryan Olson.

The family would like to thank the staff at both Hilllview Health Care Center and Gundersen Medical System who cared for him. Special thank you to James “the Mayor of Hillview” Ebner. You brought much joy during his stay at Hillview.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Monday, March 30th, at Faith Baptist Church, 3615 South 28th St., La Crosse. Pastor Stephen Terpstra will officiate. Burial will take place in Crucifixion Cemetery in La Crescent. Family and friends may call at the church on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. The family requests memorials to the Eris Ann Olson Endowment Fund at the Gundersen Medical Foundation.