Donald O. Olson, 81, of Eau Claire, died Monday, December 8, 2003 at Sacred Heart Hospital. He was born in Galesville, Wisconsin on October 10, 1922 the son of John and Lillian (Kolstad) Olson.\r\nDonald married Germaine A. "Gerrie" Gilbertson on February 27, 1946 in Ettrick.\r\nDon was a World War II Veteran serving in the Army Infantry in Africa and Italy.\r\nIn 1948, he began his career in the food business with Gamble-Robinson, Winona, Minnesota. In 1950, he joined Clairemont Meats in Eau Claire which eventually became Peters Meat Products where he was salesman and general sales manager. In 1972, Don joined the new start-up company Reinhart Foods in La Crosse, Wisconsin as general sales manager. Don retired from Reinhart Foodservice at the age of 80 on January 1, 2003. Through all his years in the food service business Don never lost his enthusiasm to meet people and to promote the company he worked for.\r\nHe was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, VFW Post #305 and American Legion #53.\r\nHe is survived by his wife, Gerrie; two daughters, Susan (Lloyd) Fleig of Altoona and Connie (Harlan) Loken of Nashua, NH; two grandsons, Jeffrey (Robin) Fleig of Onalaska and Jason Fleig of River Falls; sister, Lorraine Glanzer of La Crosse; brother, Laverne (Bonnie) of Galesville; and several nieces and nephews.\r\nDon was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Maynard.\r\nFuneral services will be at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 11, 2003 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 1310 Main St., Eau Claire with Pastor Gary F. Sahs and Pastor Sherm Iverson officiating. Family and friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday prior to services at the church. Burial will be Friday in Tamarack Lutheran Cemetery, Town of Arcadia. Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home is serving the family.

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