Kenneth Wayne Olson passed away on June 23, 2025, after a long fight with brain cancer. He was 76 years old.

Ken was born on March 12, 1949, in Denver Colorado to Duane and Mary Ann (Bacon) Olson.  Duane was employed by the FCI so in 1959 the family transferred to Finlayson MN until 1961, when Duane and the family were transferred to El Reno, OK. In 1963 the family returned to Sandstone, where Ken lived for the remainder of his life.

Ken started working for B&S Tree Company at age 15. He graduated from Sandstone High School in 1967. During school Ken participated in football, basketball, baseball and went to state in track. He was a band member, playing both the clarinet and the guitar. Ken used his musical talent outside of school, joining two different bands, The Morlock's and Joe's Road. He attended college in Grand Rapids, MN.

He then worked at various jobs and eventually went back to B&S Tree Company where he developed his passion for growing trees and learned from his mentor Charlie Bork. Ken married Sandy (Wellnitz) Olson on April 29, 1972. They were married for 53 years. They had two children, Johana Christina who was named after both Ken and Sandy's great grandmothers and Kenneth Wayne Olson, Ken's namesake. Eventually Ken and his brother Phil, started growing trees on their own property, later starting Happy Land Tree Farms. Ken brought many family members into the business to work alongside him.

Ken loved growing trees, it showed in the many awards he received for his accomplishments, especially the grand champion ribbons for Christmas trees that he received for many years. He even provided Christmas trees to several Minnesota Governors as well as a United States Vice President. He left a legacy in the tree industry and many other growers went to him for his expertise.

Ken enjoyed anything to do with the outdoors.  He had many interests, besides trees, hunting and fishing were his favorites, and he excelled in everything he did.  About the only time Ken left the farm, it was usually to do something with hunting or fishing.   He shot the biggest bull moose, trophy whitetail deer, and always seemed to catch the biggest fish.  He raised elk on his farm for 19 years. At one point having a herd of almost 100, producing many trophy bulls. In early Sept of 2008, he was severely gored by one of the bulls and was airlifted to Duluth for medical care.  Two weeks later, he was up in Canada on a moose hunting trip.  He wrote a story about his encounter which he called "Close encounters of the worst kind".  He had a love of wildlife, nature and the outdoors.   He enjoyed many trips to Canada moose hunting and fishing.  He hunted elk out west and moose in Alaska.  He hunted whitetail on his properties, enjoyed feeding the birds and tending to wildlife.   He loved to share his interests and included the kids on his many adventures.  Ken lived life to the fullest.

Ken loved to have an audience.  He had a wealth of information and the most interesting stories and was great at telling them, especially about hunting and fishing.  His memory was long, Ken was able to remember where on the lake he caught the most walleyes, on which hump they were on, which logging road in Canada he saw the cow with her calf, to details about the cow that had a scar on her left side.  Details were very important to him.  If you told him something, he would ask you many questions about it.

Ken also belonged to many organizations; The MN Nursery and Landscape Association, MN Christmas Tree Association, National Christmas Tree Association and MN Elk Breeders Association.

Ken is preceded in death by his parents, Daune and Mary Ann and his beloved dog Sophie.  He is survived by his loving wife Sandy; daughter, Johana Olson; son, Kenny (Myra) Olson; granddaughter, Rowan Hilty (Aman Imani); grandsons Baden Hilty and Gavin Keehr; brothers Duane "Red" Olson, Phil (Diane) Olson; sister Barbara (Glen) Hamaline; cousin, Lee Bacon, as well as many other cousins, nieces and nephews.

Ken was a large presence in our family, and to many people who knew him.  He will forever be missed.

A memorial service to honor Ken will be held at 12pm on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Kroschel, MN with Pastor Mark Maunula officiating. Honorary Pallbearers will be; Kenny Olson, Baden Hilty, Gavin Keehr, Red Olson, Phil Olson and Lee Bacon.

Arrangements by Methven Funeral and Cremation Services of Sandstone, MN.