Arden Bernett Olson

Arden Bernett Olson, 80, of St. Peter died Saturday, August 5, 2017 at Benedictine Living Community of St. Peter. A celebration of life service will be held at St. Peter Funeral Home on Tues., August 8th, 2017 from 12 until 2 followed by burial at 3:00pm at Swan Lake Lutheran Church in Nicollet County. Graveside services will be followed by a gathering and visitation at the church. Memorial to the Humane Society are preferred in lieu of flowers.

Arden was born June 2, 1937 in New Ulm to Arthur and Hady (Griese) Olson. Arden grew up on his family’s farm north of Swan Lake and was baptized and confirmed at Swan Lake Lutheran Church. He attended country school through the 8th grade and was a graduate of New Ulm High School.  He served two years in the service and graduated from Dunwoody Industrial Institute in Minneapolis as well as later attended the University of Minnesota and Mankato State University. He married Mary Margaret Wendinger on May 9, 1959 at the Holy Trinity Cathedral Rectory in New Ulm. They lived in New Um, Minneapolis, Luverne, Worthington and Hardwick before settling in St. Peter in 1967. Beginning in 1967 he worked at the Nicollet County Highway Department where he retired as supervisor of the engineering department in 1997. He resided in Benedictine for the last four months.

Arden is survived by his wife Mary Margaret Olson of St. Peter and daughters Debra (Gary) Westphal of Mankato, Lanae (David) Gabert of Apple Valley and son Steven (Kelly) Olson of Nicollet; eight grandchildren Brandon (Kathy) Zender of North Mankato, Joshua (Becky) Westphal of Boston MA, Jeremy (Lindsey) Westphal of Mankato, Sarah Gabert and fiancé Cory Absey of Eagan, MN, Katherine (Joseph) Shanahan of St. Peter,  Scott (Stephanie) Gabert of Beavercreek OH, Dylan Olson of Nicollet and Justin Westphal of Mankato as well as three great grandchildren; Carter and Isaac Zender and Arianna Westphal;  sisters-in- law Lorraine Olson of Nicollet County and Oneeta Olson of Minneapolis.

Arden is preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Hady Olson and three brothers Maynard, Harold and Richard Olson and sister-in-law Carol Olson.