Irving Olsen Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Irving G. Olsen KINGSFORD - Irving G. Olsen, 85, of 1864 Mary's Way, Kingsford, formerly of Escanaba, died Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2004, at St. Vincent Hospital in Green bay, Wis. Irving was born on May 5, 1918, in Homestead, Wis., the son of the late Einar and Ruth (Mild) Olsen. He graduated from Kingsford High School in 1935 and from business school in 1938. He served with the United States Army for four years during World War II and was honorably discharged as a captain with the Transportation Corps. He married Wanda Gross on Jan. 10, 1942, in Aurora, Wis. Irving began his working career with Kalamazoo Stove and Furnace in sales and later as Upper Peninsula district manager until 1942. Transportation was to remain his interest for many years as he joined the Cochran Freight Lines in Iron Mountain in 1947 as operations manager and then had the same responsibility with Clairmont Transfer. He moved to Escanaba in 1964 to become the executive vice president and general manager of Clairmont. In 1973, Irving retired as vice president and general manager after 25 years with the company. After retirement, he worked part-time in public relations for the State Bank of Escanaba and later as industrial relations representative for the Escanaba Foundation. Irving was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Iron Mountain. He was active in the Dickinson County Chamber of Commerce while in Iron Mountain and the Delta County Chamber of Commerce in Escanaba. He had also worked on fund-raising drives for a variety of charities. He was active in the Masonic Order including the Consistory and Shrine. He was past president of the Wisconsin Trucking Association and past president of the Chippewa Club. His family was his life. He enjoyed remodeling, carpentry, skiing and golfing. He had a hole-in-one at the Lake Bluff Country Club in 1997. Irving was preceded in death by two sisters, Arlene Olson and Doris DeClark. He is survived by his wife, Wanda; his sons, Glenn (Judy) Olsen of Coudersport, Pa., Gary (Debbie) Olsen of Escanaba, Greg (Julie) Olsen of Strongsville, Ohio and Gene (Colleen) Olsen of Manitowoc, Wis.; a brother, Roland (Judy) Olsen of Iron Mountain; a sister, Carol (Lloyd) Pryor of Kingsford; 10 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. Funeral services will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. Rev. Michael March and Rev. David Anderson will co-officiate. A memorial will be established in his memory. Burial will be in Cemetery Park in Iron Mountain. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Irving Olsen online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the funeral arrangements.