LAVERNE E. OLSON, 74, of 661 Wisconsin St., died Tuesday, May 25, 1999 at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN. He was born on April 2, 1925 in Colfax, Wisconsin to Oscar and Myrtle (Fjelstad) Olson. He later moved with his family to Eau Claire where he attended Eau Claire Senior High School.\r\nHe entered the U.S. Army on July 1943. Laverne served with the infantry in New Guinea and the Philippines until his discharge in December 1945. He re-enlisted in February 1948 and was honorably discharged in November 1949.\r\nLaverne married Elizabeth J. Paape on December 4, 1943 at Fort Ord, CA; He married Doris Olson in 1952.\r\nHe worked twenty-eight years at Uniroyal until retiring in 1987. Laverne loved animals and enjoyed spending time at his cottage in Chetek. He always looked forward to gathering together for visits with his family and friends. He was a member of VFW Post #305.\r\nSurvivors include two daughters, Diana L. Dinger (Bob Vlahakis) of Rhinelander and Sandra Rudy (Gary MacIntosh) of Augusta; two sons, Steven L. (Kathleen) Olson of Altoona, and Gary M. Olson of Eau Claire; four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; a sister, Iona Schwartz of Eau Claire; many nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Vickie Tarbox of Eau Claire.\r\nHe was preceded in death by his parents.\r\nMemorial services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home with Dr. Ronald D. Wilson officiating. VFW Post #305 will conduct military rites at the funeral home. Friends may call an hour prior to services Friday at the funeral home. \r\n

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