Askov American., 1943-05-27
Last Rites Held
|InAskovTuesday
For Louis Olsen
Community Saddened by
Death of Respected Pio-
neer Saturday.

truest friends, early Saturday morn
ing in the death of Louis Olsen at
the Abbott hospital, Minneapolis. His
passing came as a severe shock to
the community where he had made
his home the past 81 years. Death
was the result of an infected pancreas
and complications following an op-
Grafton two days previously.
Born in Sjallands Odde, Denmark,
Dec. 10, 1872, the son of Niels Peter
and Laurense Boline Olsen, he came
to the United States at the age of 18,
locating in Chicago, Ill. He was
united in marriage to Miss Johanne
Marie Thomson, in that city, on April
3, 1899, and to this union two chill
dren, Louis Byron and Gladys Jo-
hanne, were born.
In Rutabaga Industry.
The family came to Minnesota in
1912, settling at Partridge, now
Askov, being among the early pio-
neers in the new Danish community.
Operating the old Askov hotel two
years, Mr.. Olsen later helped to build
the first potato warehouse here and
was its manager for some time. He
l>also farmed on what is known as the
J. K. Larsen place north of the viii
lage, farming also south of Askov,
but kept his chief interest in the pro-
duce business which was expanding
rapidly.
Helping to build up a wide mar
ket for one of Askov's best crops,
rutabagas, his Blue Ribbon brand
has become known in many states.
Potatoes were also handled extern
sively, but in later years rutabagas
were given the most attention. War
demands took much of the local crop
the past season and in anticipation
of an expanding market this fall,
Mr.. Olsen had made many contracts
with growers for rutabaga acreage.
The family has decided to continue
the business under his name.
Worked for Community.
Olsen also took a keen interest in the
Askov community, always working
for it's betterment, and lending a
helping hand whenever possible. He
has served in many capacities on
local boards and organizations and
has also been elected as mayor of
the village. His judgment was looked
up to with respect at meetings and
discussions. A strong supporter of
the cooperative movement he served
on a number of local coop boards,
the latest being the Cooperative
Mercantile Association which he
helped to establish over two years
ago.
Mr.. Olsen will be remembered
mostly for his friendly smile and
his optimism Never admitting de-
feat, never discouraged, he always
looked to the future with hope. A
friend to all, he had an abounding
faith in his fellowmen, and that rare
ability to transmit some of his kind
illness and cheer to those in need.
Many Attend Rites.
The large gathering at the Danish
Lutheran church Tuesday afternoon
for the last rites, and the many floral
offerings, made fine tribute to one
who had earned the friendship and
respect of the community he loved
so WELL Rev. M. Mikkelsen officiated
at the services and the body was car
ried to its resting place in the Askov
cemetery by Chris Sandahl, Wayne
Lawson, Martin Johnson, T. N. Thom-
sen, Chris Morgensen and Chris A..
Nielsen.
Besides his widow and two chill
dren the deceased leaves two BROTH
ers, Martin Olsen, Libertyville, ILL.,,
and Christopher Olsen, Holbek, Den
mark; and three sisters, Nikoline
Olsen, Sjallands Odde, Denmark;
Mrs. Dagmar Jensen, Grevinge, Den
mark; and Mrs. Nathalie Nielsen,
Chicago, Ill.
Among those from away here
Tuesday to pay their last respects
were Mrs. Anna Jensen and Mrs.
Nathalie Nielsen, Chicago, ILL.,; Sam
Dorenfeld, Lake Elmo; John P. VAN
dermyde, Otto Manke and H. Bue,
Minneapolis; Sam Boyle and V. S.
Petersen, st. Paul; Oscar Berndt,
Osseo; Mr.. and Mrs. Olaf Jensen,
Grand Forks, N. D.; Carl M. Madsen,
New Brighton; Mr.. and Mrs. Ernest
Madsen, Cambridge; Mayor Harry
Madison of Sandstone; and Michael
B. Hurley and DR.. James Slaven, Pine
City. Mr.. and Mrs. L. Byron Olsen
and two sons of st. Paul and Miss
Gladys J. Olsen of Winnetka, ILL,
are here this week.
The entire community joins in ex-
tending deepest sympathy to the be-
reaved relatives.