Duane Olson

He was born Aug. 30, 1955, in Iron Mountain, the son of the late Delphin and Verona (Blazier) Olson. He was a graduate of North Dickinson High School, Gogebic Community College in Ironwood, and Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie.

Duane worked various jobs in the local area in his early adult years. From 1978 through 1986 he was employed as a U.S. National Park Ranger, working for the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, at Badlands National Park in South Dakota. After returning home to Randville to help meet medical problems his parents were facing, Duane worked at a local pet store, a local pizza place, and at Wal-Mart over the years.

He was very involved in photography and liked to read (especially his Bible and works on U.S. history). Another interest for much of his life was the study of coins (numismatics), for the sake of the art and the history. He also liked to travel and visit beautiful and historic places, primarily the national parks.

Duane was a long-time admirer of Texas A&M University. He loved the school and the Corps of Cadets and was deeply appreciative of the rich history and traditions of that campus. Duane truly “bled maroon,” was an Aggie at heart. He was able to walk the campus and the Quad more than once. Gig ’em, Ags!

Duane attended the Randville Bible Church for many years, the Family Baptist Church of Kingsford and the Bell Lane Baptist in Clanton, Ala.. He was a life member of the Employees and Alumni Association of the National Park Service. He was also very happy to be a member of the Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets Association.

He leaves his sister, Vicky (Ed) Patterson of Clanton, Ala.; two nieces, Dawn Horton of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., and Marie (David) Curtis of La Grange, Ga.; three great-nieces, Rebecca (Daniel) Chujko, Christiane Curtis, and Grace Curtis; two great-nephews, Stephen (Mackenzie) Curtis and John (Sarah) Curtis; two great-great nieces, Keira and Sabrina Chujko. He also leaves many cousins, his Wal-Mart family and friends.

Duane considered it a real privilege to serve as caregiver for his dad and for his mom for over two decades (1987 through 2013) and was tremendously grateful to God for the opportunity to do so. In addition to his loving parents, he was preceded in death by the one grandparent he knew (Carrie Blazier Graves), all of his aunts and uncles, and many cousins and friends.

Visitation will be Friday from noon to 2 p.m. at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. at the funeral home. Pastor Kevin Sullivan will officiate. Burial will be in the Channing Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Duane’s memory to the Family Baptist Church, 1001 S. Hemlock St., Iron Mountain, MI 49801

Condolences to the family of Duane Michael Olson may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.