1921 – 2017
Irwin “Wyn” Olson, 96, of Mesa AZ entered into the presence of the Lord on May 26, 2017 after a series of strokes. He was born in Hillsboro ND to Pedor and Hannah Olson of Scandinavian heritage. At the age of five his family moved to a farm near Bagley MN. He graduated from high school in Fosston MN, then went on to Northwestern Bible College in Minneapolis to earn his Bachelor of Theology degree. Following graduation, he married his college sweetheart, Arleen “Ginger” Nelson. He continued his education at Hardin Simmons University in Abilene TX. He pastored Baptist churches in Garden City MN, Park Rapids MN and Mentone IN. While in Garden City, he and Ginger organized Youth for Christ Rallies for the county, reaching a high attendance of almost 800. In Park Rapids he began a radio broadcast in 1953 which became an effective outreach ministry. In 1963, while serving on the Council of Twelve for the Indiana Fellowship of Regular Baptist Churches, he was asked to be the State Representative for the IFRBC. He opened the office headquarters near Indianapolis IN where he served for 23 years.
He traveled the state to visit churches to present the IFRBC ministry, oversee the camping program, organize men’s retreats, publish the Hoosier Baptist Bulletin, counsel pastors and church leaders, help start new churches, serve on the Baptist Children’s Home board and serve as a trustee at Cedarville University on the education committee. After he retired in 1984, he was honored as Pastor of the Year by the IFRBC. He and Ginger then moved to Silveridge RV Resort in Mesa AZ. Soon after arriving he was asked to be the pastor of their chapel. Two years later he bought a condo in Sunland Village East in Mesa AZ where he also was asked to start a chapel service. He continued pastoring at Silveridge for ten years simultaneously with The Village Chapel where he served for 22 years.
He did landscaping and worked as security patrol for the village. He was also involved with many organizations and committees for Sunland Village East. He was president of the SVE Condo I & II Board and later president of the HOA. He was the committee chairman for the development of the South Fitness Center. He retired again at age 90, having ministered for 62 years. For six years of that time he was devoted to taking care of Ginger who was bedfast. About two years after Ginger’s death he married her sister, Joan Salseth. Joan is currently residing at her home in San Diego CA.
He was preceded in death by his parents; older sister, Doris; younger sister, Frances; and his wife, Ginger.
He is survived by his second wife, Joan; his five children: Sheryl (Larry) Fox, Chaplain (Major) Ret. Steven (Junia) Olson, Linda (Jack) Swank, Julie Compton, and Debra (Bob) Craig, five step-children: Jonathan (Terry) Salseth, Cindy Benda, David (Carolyn) Salseth, Wendy (Doug) Wilhite, and Melody (Rick) Marrow. He has 15 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and many cousins, nieces and nephews. His family remembers him as a loving, kind, compassionate, hardworking father who loved serving the Lord.
His internment will take place at Mountain View Cemetery, Mesa AZ in the presence of family.
A memorial service will be held on July 29th at 2:30 p.m. in the Sunland Village East auditorium, 2145 S Farnsworth Dr, Mesa AZ 85209.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gideon’s or to the Samaritan’s Purse.
A true Man of God who knew his purpose to preach the Word of God to all! A devoted husband and loving and caring father and grandfather. A friend and counselor to anyone who needed him. I will Love you till eternity.
Debby