Michael Olson

Michael Olson, 59, of Hoffman passed away Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at the Sanford Hospice House in Fargo, ND.

A memorial gathering will be on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at the Erickson-Smith Funeral Home in Hoffman from 12 noon until 3:00 p.m. All are welcome!

Michael was born in St. Paul, MN on March 29, 1963, to Donald and Ellen (Thorstad) Olson. He grew up and attended elementary school in Canby, MN. In 1975, he moved with his family to Hoffman and graduated from Hoffman-Kensington High School in 1981. During high school, he was on two state championship football teams, as a sophomore and as a senior. He attended Southwest State University and Alexandria Technical College where he received training in appliance repair and refrigeration. He worked for Hintgen-Karst Electric in Fergus Falls, and then the state hospital until it closed. He then started his own appliance repair business, Son’s Appliance, in Fergus Falls and closed this business in 2016. Recently, he worked as a bartender at K-Town Bar.

Mike had a special relationship with his many nieces and nephews and was the quintessential “crazy uncle”. They all adored him, as he was their definition of cool – he had a jeep, rode a Harley Davidson motorcycle, loved dogs, and had a natural talent of drawing. He was the life of the party and brought laughter and a smile to everyone around him because of his sense of humor.

He enjoyed bonfires and time spent at Elk Lake and camping in Finland, MN. He liked to tinker with things, rebuild old jeeps and motorcycles, autobody and painting, and go on motorcycle road trips with his friends. He was known as the “go to” guy if something needed fixing.

Mike is survived by his father, Donald (LaVerne) Olson of Hoffman; siblings, Byron (Peg) Olson of Buffalo, MN, Randy (SuAnn) Olson of Baldwin, ND, Vickie (Kevin) Olson of Hoffman, Lori (Mike) Ziemer of Elk River, MN, and Mark (Lisa) Olson of Hoffman; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews; and Godparents Rodger & Elaine Olson. 

He was preceded in death by his mother, Ellen Olson.

Erickson-Smith Funeral Home of Hoffman is assisting the family.