Laurel Leeland Olson, 93, of Hutchinson passed away Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at Prairie Senior Cottages in Hutchinson. A Memorial Service was held at Vineyard United Methodist Church on Thursday, August 8, 2024. Pastor Allison Schwarz officiated, with music by Evelyn Mulder, pianist, and David Skaar, soloist.
 Laurel Leeland Olson was born on March 14, 1931, in Graceville to parents Beulah Blanche (Dodds) Olson and Oscar Adolph Olson of rural Clinton. Laurel graduated from Clinton High School in 1949 and farmed with his father and mother on the home place for four years, then volunteered for the military draft. He attended more school and served for two years on a radar base in Japan.
 In the fall of 1955, Laurel enrolled at University of Minnesota, St. Paul Campus, to study Agricultural Economics and Plant Industry. It was there he met his future wife, Margaret Nelson. They were married on September 13, 1958, at Bethel Mission Covenant Church in rural Roseau. Both he and Margaret graduated from U of MN in 1959. Son Eric was born in 1966 in Farmington and twin daughters, Karen and Kay in 1968 in Hutchinson.
 Laurel worked at Production Credit Association and then as an Assistant County Agricultural Exten­sion Agent in Sibley County. Two years later when a job with Prudential Insurance Company’s mortgage loan division became available, they moved to Farmington to accept new responsibilities. During his tenure of nearly 30 years with the Pru, Laurel made farm loans to dozens of Minnesota farmers and later, upon a move to Chicago, helped serve farmers from the Indiana/Illinois region to California. He always remarked that his favorite workplace was at the kitchen table of a farmer and his family. He so appreciated the casual lifestyle of farm families and thought himself lucky to be working with them to help them reach their goals.
 Summer vacations were a special time when the children were young. The whole family visited most areas of the U.S. and lower Canada during those years. Laurel was the person who made those adventures happen by keeping all the gear working and suggesting new places to explore.
 After retiring, Laurel and Margaret returned to Hutchinson in 1995. He enjoyed working in his woodshop, riding his bike, and solving the world’s problems with his friends over coffee.
 Laurel chose to donate his body to University of Minnesota’s Anatomy Bequest Program for teaching and research. His cremated remains will be returned to the family in several months to be stored in the Hutchinson cemetery.
 Laurel was preceded in death by daughter, Kay Olson of Hutchinson, his parents, sisters, Marilynn Jenson (Sherman) of Bickleton, Washington; Glenda Minerman of Jackson, Wyo.; and brother, Curtiss Olson (Opal) of Clinton. He is survived by Margaret, his wife of 65 years, son, Eric John Olson of Hutchinson, and daughter, Karen Ann Olson of Big Lake; brother-in-law Roger Minerman, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.