Jerrold Edwin Olson

Jerrold Edwin “Jerry” Olson, most recently of Rosemount, Minnesota, passed away on Sunday, March 30th, 2025, at the age of 84. Jerry was born on April 7th, 1940, in rural Acton Township near Litchfield, Minnesota. He graduated from high school in 1958 from Cedar High School in Cedar, Minnesota.

Jerry enlisted in the United States Navy immediately after high school. He trained as an Aviation Machinist’s Mate and worked on a variety of Naval aircraft. Jerry served a total of eight years in the Navy and was honorably discharged as an Aviation Machinist Mate, 2nd Class. During his time in the Navy, Jerry served both in the United States and abroad with one of his foreign assignments being in Antarctica where he was awarded the Antarctica Service Medal among other commendations.

After his military service, Jerry worked as an aircraft mechanic for Northwest Airlines. He retired from Northwest Airlines in 2002 after having worked there for 36 years. During his time at Northwest, Jerry worked in a variety of shops supporting a number of commercial aircraft. He took immense pride in his job and made lifelong friends through his work with the airlines.

Upon retiring from his career as an aircraft mechanic, Jerry became a “Minnesota snowbird” and lived a bit of an RV vagabond lifestyle. His travels took him initially around the U.S., but he eventually settled for periods of time in Florida and subsequently in south Texas with the latter becoming his longer-term winter home. While he greatly enjoyed his Texas winters, he also enjoyed his summers back home in Minnesota where he visited family and friends.

Jerry was an active sportsman in the earlier parts of his life, enjoying the outdoors and particularly fishing and deer hunting. He grew to be an avid golfer in the latter part of his life and frequently competed in league play. He also greatly enjoyed playing bingo with his friends at the American Legion where he was a long-standing member.

Jerry was preceded in death by his former wife of 39 years, Carol Ann Olson; mother, Jesse; father, Inor; and a number of siblings and stepsiblings who passed before him.

He is survived by his children, Janet (Rodney) Heckman, Jeanna Olson, and Jim (Jenni) Olson; in addition to eight grandchildren/step grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Suite Living Senior Care and Hospice for the great care and compassion they showed Jerry over the last nine months of his life.

A celebration of Jerry’s life will be scheduled at a later date with a private interment of his ashes at Fort Snelling National Cemetery where Jerry will be honored to rest in eternity with his fellow service members.