Donald Gordon Olsen, age 79, died June 17, 2008, at his home in Baker City, Ore.
He was born April 29, 1929, in Baker to Frank W. and Chrystal Francis Olsen.
Don attended schools in the Baker area and graduated from Baker High School in 1947.
He married Madelyn Parker at the First Lutheran Church in Baker in 1950 where he became a member in 1957.
Don spent his entire career in the lumber industry beginning in 1946 at various local mills including Ellingson Lumber Company where he was Planer Superintendent. He retired in 1977 from Boise Cascade in Horseshoe Bend, Idaho, following his heart attack.
Following his retirement, they returned to Baker and purchased Robb’s Ladies Shop. They operated Robb’s until it closed in 1984.
He loved playing pinochle with family and friends, Pan at the Elks, camping, hunting, boating, and mushrooming and most recently, he took great pride in taking care of his house and yard. Many people have enjoyed his efforts at many various gatherings in his park-like back yard.
He was a life-time member of the Baker Elks Lodge #338. He served the Baker Elks as Exalted Ruler in 1983/1984. One of his most memorable trips was with the Elks going to Hawaii for National Convention in 1983. He was very proud in organizing the community holiday food baskets for the Elks, Salvation Army, and local churches. He was the director for the Baker Elks Drum and Bugle Corp. in 1970-1972 and continued to enjoy their performances throughout the years.
In addition to his wife of 58 years, he is survived by three children: Leslie Steiger (and her husband John) of Baker City, Steven Olsen (and his wife Sue) of Baker City, Kristen Poteete (and her husband Carl) of Seattle, his brother-in-law Don Parker and wife Verna of Orem, Utah. Grand-children Liz Steiger (Cellar), Eric Steiger, Christie Olsen (Jensen), Jessica Olsen, Jeffrey Olsen, Amanda Poteete and Kaitlyn Poteete and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and two infant grand-children and all of his aunts and uncles.
A memorial service was held Saturday June 21, 2008, at 2 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Baker.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to First Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, Elks Casey Eye Clinic, Elks Meadowood Speech Camp, or Heart and Home Hospice in Baker City through Gray’s West & Company Pioneer Chapel at 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: The Record Courier, Baker City, Oregon, June 26, 2008
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor