Michael "Putski" Olson

Michael Todd Olson, 60, of Mentor, MN, passed away at his home of natural causes Sunday, January 16, 2022.

Mike, or “Putski” as he was best known to family and friends, was born in Crookston on October 29, 1961, the son of Roger and Linda (Berg) Olson. He grew up in Mentor where he attended elementary school and later played varsity football for the Mentor Trojans. He went on to graduate from Mentor High School as a member of the Class of 1980. For the next several years Putski was employed on area farms. In 1988 he became a heavy equipment operator for telecommunications and wind towers from Minnesota to Texas to Florida until his retirement in 2019. Putski absolutely loved the great outdoors of northern Minnesota whether it be winter, summer, spring, or fall. He was an avid fisherman and hunter. He also loved riding snowmobiles with his buddies as they covered the many trails around Mentor and the surrounding lakes. Putski worked hard and played hard and life was pretty good. He will be very fondly remembered by his family and friends.

Putski is survived by his father, Roger Olson, brother and sister-in-law, Rod and Rachael Olson, and sister, Becky Wilkinson, all of Mentor; nieces and nephews: Brianna (Andy) Munson, Ryan Olson, Emily Olson, Heath Wilkinson, Kara Wilkinson (Tony Schulz), and Holly (Josh) Bouvette; and great-nieces: Ellie Munson, and Emma Lynn, Kenna Rae, and Stella James Bouvette.  He also leaves several aunts and uncles from both sides of his family including: Gary (Anita) Berg of Anoka, MN, Kristi Larson of Moorhead, MN, Audrey Olson of Mentor, Gloria (John) Parkin of Land O’Lakes, FL, Pat Olson of Fosston, MN, Nancy and Rolland Gagner of Erskine, MN, and Dave and Janice Olson of Red Lake Falls, MN; and many cousins, other relatives, and friends. Mike was preceded in death by his dear mother, Linda, who passed away on August 9, 2014; brothers, Rickie Lee and infant Scott; grandparents, Arnold and Mervyn Olson, Richard Berg and Lucylle Berg Mulcahy; and several uncles and an aunt: David Larson, Arnold Olson Jr, Gary Olson, and special uncle Steve (Judy) Olson. May God richly bless the memory of Michael “Putski” Olson.

The memorial service in celebration of Putski Olson’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 22, 2022, in the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home, Crookston, with Pastor Tim Lundeen, officiating. Visitation with the family will be for one hour prior to the service. The funeral will be livestreamed by going to his obituary page at www.stenshoelhouske.com and clicking on the prompt to view.

Messages of condolence may be made at www.stenshoelhouske.com