Clayton Olson

Clayton E. Olson, 87, Bethany Homes, passed away peacefully at Innovis Health, Saturday, April 11, 2009. Clayton Eugene Olson was born in Barney, North Dakota, March 6, 1922, to Edwin and Lillian (Peters) Olson. They moved to Fargo shortly thereafter where Clayton attended Old Hawthorne, Agassiz Junior High and Fargo Central where he was a standout hockey player for the Midgets. Eventually, after high school, he entered the Army Air Corps and was stationed in the Pacific Theater during World War II. For a time, he worked with General Curtis LeMay. After honorable discharge, he met Helen Margaret Herfindahl whom he married June 6, 1949. They had three children and lived at 915 South 10th Street. Clayton was employed by REA Express Agency for many years and later Consolidated. Clayton was an expert golfer and in later years, played in the local senior tour, playing as much for the camaraderie as for the actual golfing. He instilled in his children a lifelong interest in sports as well as reading. He was a member of St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fargo. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; his mother, Lillian Peters Olson Folendorf; his father, Edwin Olson and his step-dad, William O. Folendorf as well as step-brothers, Drs. Walter and William Folendorf. He also had a step-sister, Marguerite Folendorf Bergstrom, Colorado. An infant brother, Everett, also preceded Clayton in death. He is survived by his children, Dennis, Sr. (Fargo), Donald, Valley City, and Deborah (Neil) Frederickson, Fargo. Grandchildren include Denise (children Trey and Mya) and Dennis, Jr. (Children, Lexus and Maria) and Elliott. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews on the Olson, Peters, Folendorf and Herfindahl sides of the family. Clayton had an amazing, charismatic personality, with a touch of eccentricity. We will not easily forget his remarkable intelligence, his ready wit, and his ability to connect easily with everyone he met. He loved to start each day, no matter how casual, by picking out his bow-tie, dress shirt and hat for the day. When able, he really enjoyed driving around town in his yellow Volkswagen with vanity plates. Funeral Service: 10AM, Saturday, April 18, 2009 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Fargo, ND. Visitation: 5-7 PM, Friday, April 17, 2009 at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo, ND. Vigil Service: 7 PM, Friday, at the funeral home. Burial: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Fargo, ND.