Gerald Arthur Olson

Colonel (Ret) Jerry Olson, age 65, of Merrifield, passed away at his home on Memorial Day, May 30, 2022. Jerry was born in Minneapolis on January 28, 1957, to Kenny & Helen (Anderson) Olson. He graduated at the top of his class from Columbia Heights High School and accepted a congressional appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. After experiencing plebe summer at West Point, Jerry decided to accept an ROTC scholarship at the University of Minnesota where he graduated with honors and received a fellowship for graduate school. Jerry received a master’s degree from the US Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, PA. Jerry enjoyed the opportunity and challenges he faced before graduating from Airborne School, Ranger School and the Infantry Officers Basic Course. Jerry was married to Susan Dewar Olson at Fort Snelling Chapel on groundhog’s day, 1980. The two were happily married for 42 years and together they had two sons. After serving 4 years of active duty at Fort Benning, GA and Fort Lewis, WA, the family returned to the twin cities and made their home in Burnsville, MN where they lived in the same community; treasuring those neighborhood friendships for 36 years. Jerry joined the Army Reserve and also worked in the computer industry for HP before following two good friends to Ernst and Young. During his time at E&Y he was deployed for 18 months to Germany, Kuwait and Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The deployment was highlighted by the opportunity to visit Babylon and the birthplace of Abraham in Ur of the Chaldees. Jerry returned home for 18 months and was next deployed to V Corps Headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany where he served under General Ricardo Sanchez on the General’s Staff as the G-3, also in support of OIF. Jerry returned home and had the wonderful opportunity to go to work for his childhood friend, Tom Niccum, at Tom’s data science company, Lancet. Jerry retired from the Army Reserve in 2009 and he retired from Lancet in 2017.
Jerry enjoyed a number of hobbies and activities including reading his Bible daily, learning about and appreciating other’s religious beliefs and practices and keeping true to his devotion as a Christian. He was best at fixing anything and everything that was broken. He built three computers from scratch. He enjoyed military history, golf, travel, chess and poker. He especially loved feeding the birds and bird watching. He loved being at his home on Bass Lake and in 2021 made the move up-north. Jerry was a family man in every sense of the word. He was a wonderful son and brother before he became a devoted and proud husband and father. He especially adored his granddaughter, Scarlett. Jerry’s love of family extended to include his mother and father-in-law, sisters and brothers in law and his best friends, Greg and Danette, whom he counted as family. Jerry truly enjoyed hosting Cousin’s Camp every July where we all treasured watching generations bond, enjoying the sandy beach, the beautiful quiet lake and the exhausting chaos of the weekend. Jerry, Susan and Mark were devastated by the sudden death of their son and brother Robert. Jerry grieved openly yet never lost sight of the knowledge that we will all be reunited in heaven. He helped his family navigate the tragedy and grief by his daily example of faith, patience, love and kindness.
Throughout Jerry’s diagnosis of glioblastoma, invasive surgeries and therapies he never changed the course of his days, weeks or months. He remained kind, loving, funny and dignified. He was unafraid. Throughout his life, Jerry was known for his keen intellect, his quiet kindness, humble nature and true humility. Mark and Robert frequently remarked that, “Dad is the nicest man in the world”. When Jerry left his duty in Germany, one young soldier commented, “You are the kindest Colonel in the Army”.
Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife, Susan; son, Mark Olson (Trace Vilalta); granddaughter, Scarlett Olson; sisters: Nancy (Jack) Krekelberg and Janet Olson; many precious in-laws, nieces, nephews, friends and extended family.
Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, beloved son Robert Olson and father-in-law James Dewar.
A private burial at Fort Snelling National Cemetery is planned.
Memorials are preferred to Mayo Clinic Foundation and Wounded Warrior Project.