Gerhard O. "Gary" Olsen's Obituary
Mr. Gerhard O. “Gary” Olsen, age 90, died Friday evening, January 8, 2010, in Muskegon. He was born June 4, 1919 in Holton, MI to his Norwegian parents, Ole and Gina (Glosli) Olsen. By the age of thirteen both of Gerhard’s parents had passed away. It was then that his cousin Clara Andersen and her husband Andrew took him in as one of their own. Gary graduated from Muskegon High School; and had served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII. In 1946, he and his partner, George Bohland, started Northern Machine Tool Co, where he worked until a few years ago. Gary had been an active member of Crestwood United Methodist Church where he served on various committees over the years. He was also a member of the Norton Shores Kiwanis and of the National Tool & Die Association. Gerhard had a life long love of skiing and golf. On June 21, 1947 he married the former Doris E. Garber and she preceded him in death just a few months ago, on September 15, 2009. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Doris Schouten. SURVIVORS include his three children, Sandra Godsman of Evergreen, CO, Stephen (Debbie) Olsen of North Muskegon and Daniel (Kendra) Olsen of Norton Shores; 6 grandchildren, Andrea (Jon) Weeks, Eric (Bethany) Godsman, Sara (Steve) Henry, Matthew Olsen, Emily Olsen and Kenny Olsen; and by 5 great-grandchildren. Gerhard’s family would like to sincerely thank the staff at both Seminole Shores and Sanctuary at the Park for the wonderful care they provided their father, grandfather and friend over the past two years. SERVICES will be 11AM Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc., 6291 S. Harvey Street, Norton Shores, MI 49444 (231-798-1100)with Pastor Jayne Yonkman, Chaplain of Sanctuary at the Park, officiating. Burial will be in Restlawn Cemetery. VISITATION with Gerhard’s family will be 2-4 & 6-8 PM Tuesday. For a more lasting memorial, you are asked to consider the Muskegon – Oceana Chapter of the American Red Cross or the Community Foundation Muskegon County.
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