Arlee David Olson, 89, of Cook, MN passed away on Monday, January 6, 2020 at the Cook Hospital.

Arlee was born to Victor and Maria (Hollen) Olson on October 24, 1930 in Cook, MN. He grew up in Cook, graduating in 1949. In high school, Arlee excelled in football, basketball, and track. After graduating, Arlee attended The Gale Institute in Minneapolis, majoring in Telegraph and Teletype. He took a job in Orr with the Duluth, Winnipeg and Pacific Railway as a telegrapher. Soon after, he enlisted in the United States Navy and was sent to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba, also spending time in Massachusetts, Haiti, Puerto Rico, and Florida as well as serving as the radio man for many Naval flights over the Atlantic Ocean. While enlisted, Arlee wrote many letters to his girlfriend back home, who was later to become his wife. Arlee married Doreen Nukala on June 13, 1953 in Cook, MN. He finished naval service and was honorably discharged in 1955. After he and Doreen settled back in Cook, Arlee went back to work for the DWP (later Canadian National Railway) as a telegrapher, clerk and dispatcher. He also worked for the Cook-Vermilion Telephone Company as a lineman. After retiring from 39 years of working on the railroad, Arlee was a substitute bus driver for ISD 2142 for 12 years. He remembered the names of the students who rode his bus routes for many, many years.

Arlee was a dedicated man, not only to his wife and family, but to his church and community as well; he put many others before himself. He was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Cook where he served as Deacon, board chair, Sunday School teacher and assisted several Laotian refugee families settle in Cook. He brought his Navy experience to bear as a Boy Scout leader, teaching his scouts Morse Code and how to tie knots. Arlee also served as ISD 710 School Board Member and PTA President.

Arlee loved following his grandchildren and great-grandchildren's sporting and musical activities at school. He also enjoyed hunting, harvesting wild rice, riding horses, traveling and meeting people. Last, but not least, his favorite hobby was "putzing around." Faith, family and friends were a priority in Arlee's daily life. He lived his faith and taught his family the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, love and caring for each other, lending a helping hand, compassion, honest and integrity. He will be greatly missed. Yet, his family takes comfort knowing he is free from his physical pain, and that he is welcomed home by his Lord and his loved ones who have gone before him.  One of his favorite scripture passages was "Choose this day whom you will serve, but as for me and my household, we will surely serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15)

Arlee was preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Marie Olson; his brothers, Elton Olson and Harold Olson; and an infant grandson, Joseph Hollen Tibbetts.

Arlee is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Doreen Olson of Cook, MN; his children: Kyle (Michelle) Olson of Esko, MN, Brenda (Bill) Tibbetts of Cook, MN, Gregory (Sharon) Olson of Sandstone, MN, Todd (Kandi) Olson of Cook, MN, and foster son Lee Riuetzel of Cook, MN; grandchildren: Roberta (James) Monte, Suzanne (Devin) Baker, Than Tibbetts, Carrie (William) Sell, Ben (Sara) Tibbetts, Jessica Olson, Luke Olson, Tate Olson, Nicole Olson, Victoria Olson; great-grandchildren: Isabelle Olson, Odin Monte, Silas Monte, and Grady Tibbetts; sisters: Anna Marie Walker, Gladys Olson and Ruth Fuller; brothers: Elof (Nan) Olson, and Sam (Sandee) Olson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, January 11th at 2:00 PM at the First Baptist Church, Cook, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. To leave a condolence, visit www.mlakerfuneralhome.com