Carl V. Olson, 87, of Watford City, ND, passed away at his Watford City residence on February 21, 2017. His funeral arrangements are with Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Watford City.

Carl V. Olson, age 87, was born July 1, 1929 to a Swedish Immigrant father, Gotfred Olson, and a Norwegian Mother, Grace (Dahl) Olson. Carl passed away peacefully in his home on February 21, 2017.

Carl spent his early years on the family farm north of Watford City. He was the oldest of eight children. At a very young age, Carl’s father began to suffer strokes which affected his ability to continue farming. Carl completed 4 grades of elementary school and then had to help with the farm work. He became a self-made man and learned most of what he knew through the school of hard knocks.

On October 26, 1948, he married a neighbor girl, Marion Thompson. In their early years of marriage, Carl and Marion worked for area ranchers. After the birth of their third daughter, Carl began to work for a seismograph crew. The family traveled and lived from ND to Texas and all the states in between. They also lived in Mississippi. With the three oldest girls in school, frequent moves made it difficult to establish roots. In 1956, they returned to Watford City living in a house across the coulee from Marion’s parents. There was no running water or electricity at that time. Carl began working in the oil fields as a rig hand. Later he went to work for OK Implement and the family moved to their permanent residence in Watford City. When daughter three was eight years old, another daughter was born and three years later the baby of the family was added. In 1968 Carl, with help from Carl Bolken and his brothers, added an addition onto the family home.

Carl also had a custom combining business for many years. His last job was as a mechanic for Koch Oil Company. Carl was an avid hunter and fisherman, he and his wife also enjoyed gardening for many years. After retirement Carl worked for a local farmer helping with his yearly crop seeding. Carl was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, North American Fishing Club and North American Hunting Club, and The NRA.

Carl is survived by his daughters, Carla Rodriguez, Chino, CA; Vonnie (Dennis) Johnson, Watford City, ND; Vicki (Dan) Rue, Brooklyn Park, MN; Cathy Jo (Clifford) Fegert, Fuquay- Varina, NC. Brothers Donald (Sharon) Olson and Edwin (Beverly) Olson, Watford City. Sisters Anna (Herman C) Thompson, Watford City, Shirley Lindeman, Thief River Falls, MN. Brothers in law, Herman C. Thompson, David Thompson, Doug Thompson, Robert Thompson, Sister in law Marilyn Caskey. Fourteen grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents. Wife Marion in 1994, oldest daughter Cheryl Mattis, granddaughter Kristy Mattis; brothers Richard and Alvin Olson, Sister Sigrid Gierke. Brothers in Law: Leonard Thompson, Ronald Thompson, and sisters in law, Patsy Paul and Alice White.