Arnold (Arnie) N. Olson of Minot, ND age 90 years, 4 months and 16 days formerly of Plaza ND entered his heavenly home on October 18, 2022 with his loving daughter, Kristi providing him comfort and love. He was currently a resident at Edgewood and loved by so many nurses and caregivers who cared for him which was evidenced by the staff that felt compelled take the time to stop in on his last day to speak their feelings of love and respect to him, shed a few tears, and give him a kiss before he was taken to his eternal home. This is a testament to the man he was.

Arnie was born on June 2, 1932 to Henry and Bertha (Gaholt) Olson. He was baptized and confirmed into the Christian faith at the First Lutheran church in Plaza, ND
Arnie proudly and honorable served in the United States Air Force from July 1, 1952 through November 30, 1954. He was trained as a Vehicle & Motor Equipment Eng Mechanic. Arnie spent a significant amount of his service at Ellsworth Airforce Base in SD but was also deployed to Korea. Upon separation at Sheppard Air Force Base in TX his grade and rank were A/2C (P) and he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, and the UN Service Medal.

Arnie met the love of his life Yvonne Hornaday on September 3, 1954 at a dance in Plaza, ND. He knew immediately that this was the girl he would marry. They faithfully corresponded for two months before he was discharged from the Air Force in November of that year and after knowing each other only 3 months they were married on December 11, 1954, and moved to Plaza, ND and lived with Arnie’s parents. They eventually would move to Minot, ND and then on to Grand Forks, ND. Their marriage lasted an amazing 65 years. Their days always ended the same as they told each other they loved the other and sealed it with 3 kisses.

Arnie & Yvonne were blessed with 4 daughters. Katheryn, Kyanne, Keri, and Kristi. The family lived in Colorado where Arnie worked as a civilian on the Air Force Base in Colorado Springs. Later as a couple they were a team that worked together. First in the meat processing industry where Arnie was a butcher, then they moved to New Town, ND and managed a resort called Sanish Bay Recreation Area. They also owned and operated 2 restaurants with one located in Parshall, ND and the other in Plaza, ND. Arnie then went on to work at the lumber yard in New Town.

Arnie was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed fishing any time of the year and had many ‘Whoppers’ hanging in his garage. He proudly displayed several of his North Dakota Whopper Club patches to his credit, 1 being a Master and another an Expert Whopper Club patch. He also enjoyed the thrill of the hunt during deer season. Arnie was ever on the watch for arrowheads and fossils and was a knowledgeable expert in all things related to this hobby. He had an extensive collection of both. He had a great interest in hearing stories from family in all these things, but the greatest joy was when a grandchild caught the ‘big one’ or shot their first deer. He loved getting those pictures! While he resided at Edgewood Arnie was an avid Bingo, Whist, Pool, and Texas Hold’em player. When he played, he played to win, and win he did many times! He had the greatest and equally competent and competitive partners! Arnie knew how to pick the best partner. More importantly, Arnie was not ‘just’ a man, he was a devoted husband, caregiver, most loving father, grandpa, uncle, brother-in-law and friend to so very many.

Despite Arnie’s aches and pains through his life, he was never one to complain. When he was asked how he was doing the response would always be “I’m okay” or if help was offered, “I can do it, I’m okay.” He was a man with a perpetual smile on his face ready to give you a hug and welcomed every kiss he could get. This made him quite the popular man at Edgewood with the girls who cared for him and respected by others. He truly loved those who cared for him at Edgewood and would always be sure to tell his family how wonderful everyone there was. There was not a person he met that was not considered a friend at the end of the day. Arnie was a joyful, grateful, and humble man who loved every day of his life and left us all, family and friends alike, feeling blessed beyond measure just to know him and be in his presence. He lived his life well and it was a testament to us all as we strive to live ours the same. We firmly believe that as he entered his heavenly home he was greeted as it is recorded in Matthew 25:21 KJV, “His Lord said unto him, Well done my good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things,…..enter thou into the joy of the Lord.”

Arnie is survived by his daughter, Kristi (Larry) Moe of Watford City, ND. Their children, Kyle (Shannon) Moe of Dickinson, ND and their children, Shayden, Kameron, and Addison. Kelli (Roger) Fyllesvold of Plaza, ND, and their children, Cambry, Cayson and Carter. Additional Grandchildren; Fayme Stringer (Glen) Henry of Grand Forks, ND, Kasey Trussel of Plaza, ND, Mia (Matt) Hunsberger of Oslo, MN, Jessie Folven of Minot, ND, Sadie Cochrane of Minot ND and Taylor Edwards of Plaza, ND. Great-Grandchildren; Nova, Kyanne, Kamden, and Elora Stringer Henry, Kaleb and Dominick Trussel, Morgan, Nathan and Emmaly Hunsberger, Avari and Josilyn Folven, Jeramiah Patereau. Special friends, ‘Adopted’ daughter, Sherry Lindemann, Mike Trudeau, Rick Gerwien, Mike McMonigal, and too many to mention special friends at Edgewood.

Arnie is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Bertha Olson; his wife, Yvonne; his daughters, Kathy Berry, Kyanne Olson, and Keri Edwards; his sister, Helen; and brothers, Rudy and Clifford.

Because of our faith, we rejoice in the promise of eternal life and know he was met by our Heavenly Father and joyfully reunited with his wife, daughters, and many family members who together have placed their trust in Jesus Christ and have gone before him. One day we will all be together again. Blessed be his memory.