Vernon Earl Olsen
October 26, 1934 — May 9, 2012
Floral Tributes
Vernon Earl Olsen, age 77 of L'Anse, Michigan passed away on Wednesday, May 09, 2012 at Brookridge Heights Assisted Living in Marquette, MI.
He was born on October 26, 1934 in Pequaming, MI son of the late Erling and Gertrude (Jurmu) Olsen. Vern graduated from L'Anse High School in 1952. Then he worked on shipping boats on the Great Lakes. From 1956-59 he was in the US Army. He attended college in Pasadena, CA from 1962-64; where he met his wife Janice Porter and they married on November 22, 1964. They moved to northern California and he worked in the lumber industry. In 1972 they moved back to L'Anse and he owned and operated Vern Olsen Tree Service in L'Anse until retiring in 2007.
Vern was a former member of the Ambassador's Club. He was an avid musician and played the accordion, flute and piano; his grandfather Oscar Olsen played a huge impact on his love for music. He enjoyed western movies, cross word puzzles, and reading about the Great Lakes shipping. Vern loved to work and enjoyed wood.
Surviving are his son Eric (Julia) Olsen of Appleton, WI; daughters, Jennifer Welch of Maui, HI, Sand River, MI, and San Francisco, CA, and Edie (Bill DeGarmo) Olsen of Marquette, MI; brother Dennis (Joanie) Olsen of Bishop, CA; sisters, Lori (Jim) Starkel of Bloomfield Hills, MI, Judy (Larry) VanLanduyt of Paradise, CA, Mary Young of Sequim, WA, Kiki (Keith) Cheney of Marquette, MI; five grandchildren, Branden Dauphinais, Paul Grafmier, Ahnah Olsen, Oliver Olsen, Emmett Olsen; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death are his parents; wife Janice Olsen; son-in-law Roger Welch; and brother Morgan Olsen.
Visitation will be on Saturday, May 12th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Jacobson Funeral Home. His funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Judy Mattson officiating. A luncheon and fellowship will follow in the Sharing Room at the Jacobson Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Pequaming Cemetery.
Friends may sign Vern's guest book or send condolences at www.jacobsonfuneralhome.com.