March 19, 2023
March 19, 2023
Wished you a Happy 83rd with a trio of tropicals (whose photos posted somewhere in the “gallery”)… they gaze upon this Sonoma hillside the way your eyes meditated on the gulf waves. Love you, Dad!
This memorial website was created in memory of our loving brother, husband, father and friend, Ken Olson. He was born on March 18, 1940 and died on June 24, 2016 at age 76, with forty years of that span lived in his tropical paradise - Florida. We will remember his kindness, contrarian humor and deeply caring friendship, forever.
This was created for you. Spend a few minutes anytime you're missing Ken or reminiscing over times you shared together.
Leave a note, share your grief, favorite memory or story, important dates and details. Anyone can upload a picture or a song. Please know your thoughts are welcome!
Tributes
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June 24, 2018
June 24, 2018
You’re on my mind and in my actions this second year since your death. I work with the land full time now and think you’d appreciate that the end result of my endeavors is pure, natural (mostly red) wine. Will spend next week tending the merlot block with you in my thoughts every second. I love you and am so grateful you shared your reverence for the natural world with me, dad!
June 28, 2017
June 28, 2017
Happy Father's Day and congrats on your first year away! On both those days, I shoveled a tribute to you into the California hills, shaping earth into a water management system that will grow fruit and nut trees, even in drought. Had a sweat-spiked beer at the end of each day in honor of all your work with Don and that crazy sandlot yard at 907. The trees will bear fruit for years to come. Each one will be my evocation of a flower laid in your memory. Thanks for being there, dad!
March 18, 2017
March 18, 2017
Happy Birthday, dad! You've been constantly on my mind each day since you were taken and more so nearing this day your journey began. Just moments after midnight, I'd made tea and glanced at the meditation inscribed on the string tag - "Peace of mind comes piece by piece."
Immediately, the thought of how well you knew this through your constant observations of the land and seasons, of the sea and shore came to me. For a second it felt, along with the many other uncanny instances since you've been gone, that you were close and tapping me on the shoulder to accept, not rush, to look out at the horizon and just let the sun rise.
Hope you're riding some salty sea winds today and, wherever they take you, having a damn good time getting there!
Immediately, the thought of how well you knew this through your constant observations of the land and seasons, of the sea and shore came to me. For a second it felt, along with the many other uncanny instances since you've been gone, that you were close and tapping me on the shoulder to accept, not rush, to look out at the horizon and just let the sun rise.
Hope you're riding some salty sea winds today and, wherever they take you, having a damn good time getting there!
August 21, 2016
August 21, 2016
What a gratifying - if unconventional - memorial service we all shared today. Thanks to all who attended and wished to attend from the bottom of my heart. It means more than words can say to have shared our memories and honored Ken's loving life with our laughter and tears today. I'll take solace in hearing your voices across time and miles for the rest of my life. Thank you. Love, Janna
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Recent Tributes
March 19, 2023
March 19, 2023
Wished you a Happy 83rd with a trio of tropicals (whose photos posted somewhere in the “gallery”)… they gaze upon this Sonoma hillside the way your eyes meditated on the gulf waves. Love you, Dad!
June 24, 2018
June 24, 2018
You’re on my mind and in my actions this second year since your death. I work with the land full time now and think you’d appreciate that the end result of my endeavors is pure, natural (mostly red) wine. Will spend next week tending the merlot block with you in my thoughts every second. I love you and am so grateful you shared your reverence for the natural world with me, dad!
June 28, 2017
June 28, 2017
Happy Father's Day and congrats on your first year away! On both those days, I shoveled a tribute to you into the California hills, shaping earth into a water management system that will grow fruit and nut trees, even in drought. Had a sweat-spiked beer at the end of each day in honor of all your work with Don and that crazy sandlot yard at 907. The trees will bear fruit for years to come. Each one will be my evocation of a flower laid in your memory. Thanks for being there, dad!
Gallery
… who gaze across this Sonoma hillside the way you meditated on the gulf waves. Love you, Dad!
Celebrated your 83rd birthday by planting this trio of tropicals…
1953 Henry Catherine All Six Kids (Thanks Aunt Pat!)
1955 Catherine, Ken, Bob & Karen. (Thanks, Aunt Pat!)
1958 Ken in Uniform with Karen in Jaite (Thanks, Aunt Pat!)
Ken is transferred by Allied Foods to Bradenton, FL's Grand Union.
Just after Sandy's mom and aunt move to Florida, the Olson clan follows suit.
2010 (Vanuatu)
2012 With love from our great adventurers! (Canyonlands)
Recent stories
Gaining a friend and a dad for life
August 21, 2016
upon meeting Ken I thought he was going to be mean but, little to my surprise he was actually nice. He did a lot of things from the kindness of his heart. We had our good days we had our bad days but overall everything he did was because he cared and he loves me as a friend and as his own child and for that I am forever grateful. He was like a dad to me better than the one that's supposed to be my dad, he was a good grandfather to my children whom they loved so dearly. I will forever miss my "old fart". We will forever miss him. He may be gone but he will never be forgotten. I want to say thank you Jan, Steve Sandy, Doug and Marlos for allowing JJ Sylvia and myself to share him with you guys and becoming part of the family. We love you guys from the bottom of our hearts.