Clifford Albert Olsen, 91, of Portsmouth, VA died on June 13th. Born May 27,1932 in Brooklyn, NY, Clifford knew at the age of five that he wanted to be a minister. He attended Concordia College in Moorehead, MN, and, Luther Seminary in St Paul, MN. He served as a Navy Chaplain for 14 years on active duty. For 25 years, he was one of the Port Chaplains with the Norfolk Seamen's Friend Society, where the needs of foreign merchant seamen were supported by 80 area churches.
Chaplain Olsen is predeceased by his brother, Stanley Alan Olsen, and his parents, Clifford Nils and Irene Synoeve Olsen. He is survived by Frances Marie Olsen, his wife of over 55 years; two sisters in law, Heather Ann Olsen O'Connell and Karin Viola Nersten Olsen, and several nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 8th, 2023 at St. Andrew Lutheran Church at 4811 W. High Street, Portsmouth, Va 23704. Pastor Suzanne Stierwalt will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Andrew Lutheran Church.
