John F. Olson, 58, of Grand Portage, passed away peacefully at his home Jan. 27, 2017 surrounded by his family after a two-year fight with multiple myeloma.
John was born in Two Harbors, Minnesota on Nov. 18, 1958 to Fredrick and Elaine (Deschampe) Olson. John worked for Grand Portage Construction for 28 years and was also a member of the Grand Portage Band of Ojibwe. John enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing softball and gambling at the casino. He also enjoyed spending time with his family.
He is preceded in death by his mother and baby grandson Tyler Sherer.
John is survived by the love of his life for 30 years Lisa Dahmen; his sons Merlin Sherer of St. Cloud, Minn. and Preston Olson (Cheryl) of Grand Portage; stepdaughters Naomi Deschampe of Duluth, Marie, and Amy (Gene) Deschampe of Grand Portage; one grandson, “baby Preston,” and eight step-grandchildren; father Fredrick Olson of Selah, Wash.; siblings Marilyn Turvey of Fairbanks, Alaska, Donald Olson of Grand Portage, Angela (Jim) Olson of Selah, Wash., Leland Olson of Yakima, Wash.; and many nieces and nephews, uncles and aunts.
The family thanks the University of Minnesota bone marrow transplant staff of Minneapolis as well as the St. Luke’s Oncology Department in Duluth, Grand Portage Clinic and Dr. Michael Sampson.
Memorial services were held at Holy Rosary Church in Grand Portage on Feb. 2, followed by a luncheon at the Grand Portage Community Center.
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