Larry Carl Olsen

Larry was born on November 19, 1947, to Carl and Hazel Olsen in Mason City, Iowa. In Larry’s youth, they lived in Carpenter, Iowa. His parents and sisters moved to the Alden, MN area in 1954 and lived in an old hotel as their house (famous for having Jesse James as a patron). Then, his parents bought their first farmstead called Fairview Farms in Mansfield, MN (near Alden) where they had dairy cows, hogs, chickens, and horses. He loved his horse named Sally and he had a favorite dog that would go with him hunting and trapping. His love for animals definitely passed on to his daughters and grandchildren. As a child, his nickname was “Curly” for his blond curls. Larry attended Kiester High School, played Football, Basketball, Baseball and Track, and graduated in 1966. His nickname was “Mr. Touchdown.”

Larry enlisted in the Navy from September 22, 1966, to June 20, 1970, during the Vietnam War. He was stationed in California and served on the USS Talladega, the USS Blanco, the USS Holmes, and lastly the USS Cleveland. He served as an Electronics Technician and received a National Defense Service Medal and a Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars. A few statements from his supervising officers stated, “Olsen shows great interest in his work and has performed in an excellent manner. Olsen constantly improves himself through college courses and self-study. Olsen is a credit to the Navy.” He was proud of his service in the Armed Forces and proud of being a Veteran (as most of you know, his baseball cap of choice showed off his Veteran/Navy status).

After his service in the Navy, Larry attended Mankato State University taking classes in business and accounting. Larry met his wife, Diane Blondin, during his first year at college, in an English Literature class. They married a few years later on March 24, 1972, at Shiloh Lutheran Church in Elmore, MN. Together Larry and Diane created a beautiful life, having 2 daughters and 5 grandchildren (affectionately known as "Bumpa").

Family and faith were his priorities in life. Larry had a strong faith in God. He was committed to his bible studies through Shepherd’s Chapel as he and Diane made daily Bible study a top priority.

Larry graduated from Mankato State University in 1973 with an Accounting major. He had several business-oriented careers utilizing his accounting skills. He was a realtor, broker, financial advisor, sold insurance, bookkeeper, consultant, gambling manager, working for various companies throughout his working life. Larry and Diane established their beginning years in Fairmont, MN and then moved to Owatonna, MN in 1985. Larry retired in 2012 and moved to St. Cloud, MN to be closer to his children, grandchildren, northern MN, and the St. Cloud VA Hospital.

Larry enjoyed his gardening and yard work, fishing for crappies and walleyes, going to northern MN lake country (especially Farm Island Lake), golfing, playing and teaching cribbage, talking with people, and spending quality time with his family. He enjoyed camping with his family, especially at Lura Lake and Pihl’s Campground. He was proud of his Denmark heritage…he would say it’s, “Olsen with an ‘e n’, I’m a Dane.”

Larry is pre-deceased by his parents, Carl and Hazel Olsen; mother-in-law Irene (Blondin) Enterline; brother-in-law Ron Blondin; and nephew Roger Hamson, Jr.

Larry is survived by his devoted wife, Diane (Blondin) Olsen; his two daughters Tonya Schmidt and Zena Hernandez and their husbands Wade Schmidt and Jessie Hernandez; his five grandchildren, Drew (22), Ava (21), and Bo (17) Schmidt and Isabel (22) and Nicolas (19) Jaen; 4 sisters and brother-in laws Marce and Barry Kapplinger, Patricia and Roger Hamson, Sharon and Larry Johnson, and Gloria and Dave Pederson; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Patricia (Blondin) and John Halverson; his many nephews, nieces and cousins.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Monday, July 27th, 2026, 3:00-7:00, at The Park Event Center, 500 Division Street, Waite Park, MN. There will be a short presentation and sharing of memories at 4:00 and 6:00. Hors ’devours, Desserts, and Beverages will be available throughout the Celebration.