Clarence Olsen, 95

Our dad passed away early in the morning at Creekside Inn on Aug. 15, 2011, at age 95. He was born Jan. 30, 1916. His much loved parents and our dear grandparents were Jack and Olufina Olsen, both from Norway.

After graduating from Kellogg High School, he attended school at the University of Idaho, where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, and Kinman Business University, in Spokane.

He married his high school sweetheart, June Hugel, in 1937, and they had two daughters, Sharon and Vicki.

After 64 years of marriage, June passed away in 2002. He shared the last seven years of his life with his beloved companion, Janice Smith.

After school he was employed with the Bunker Hill as a purchasing agent for 41 years. He retired at age 61 in 1978, began working as a salesman for a company out of Spokane selling to local mines, was very successful, and loved his job.

After retirement our parents relocated to Coeur d'Alene in 1991. He had 35 wonderful years of retirement. Both he and our mother volunteered for such organizations as Meals on Wheels and the Children's Village.

Our Dad was very athletic his entire life. During his high school years, he was an outstanding quarterback. In fact, at the all-high reunion last summer one of our long-time friends told us that Dad was the greatest quarterback that ever came out of Kellogg High School. Besides football, he was a fabulous golfer. He was the runner up champion of our country club, and continued to golf almost on a daily basis until he was 91. We always told Dad that he should try out for the "senior tour," but he just laughed and was very humble about his athletic abilities.

We had the good fortune to have a wonderful, loving father. Losing our Dad will leave a huge void in our lives after so many happy years together.

He will always be remembered for his kindness, values, integrity, and his love for his family and friends. He was forever a true gentleman. Our fondest memories of our Dad are the wonderful times we had at our cabin on Lake Coeur d'Alene, which our parents had for 41 years.

Vicki and Dan loved all the places he and mom traveled with them during the days when she worked for the airlines, and also the fun trips while on her sabbaticals. No matter where we went, it was always special. Sherry loved and made the most fabulous brunches every Sunday for Dad out on her patio overlooking the golf course. He also liked watching football, golf, fishing by the hour in our Granddad's fishing boat, and it was nothing for him to read two or three books a week. Like his Dad, Louis L'Amour was his favorite.

Dad is preceded in death by his parents, his wife June, his brother Oscar Olsen in 1965, and his sister Myrtle Lyons in 1972. He is survived by his two daughters, Sharon Weiss and son-in-law Bud, Vicki Flynn and son-in-law Dan, companion Janice Smith, granddaughter Susan Brunner and her spouse Geoffrey, great-grandchildren (Matthew, Kacey, Justin), Grandson Tim and his spouse Robyn (Damon, Dakota, Shayden).

At Dad's request, memorial contributions may be made to the Kellogg Elks at P.O. Box 608, Kellogg, ID, 83837; or to the Alzheimer's Association at 910 W. 5th Ave., Ste. 256, Spokane, WA, 99204.

Dad lived an amazing long life, but now it's time to say goodbye. His daughters would like to thank the staff at Creekside Inn and Applegate Hospice for the loving care and support to our Dad and our family. We would like to invite all who knew Clarence and his family to his memorial on Thursday, Aug. 25 from 2-4 p.m. at the Coeur d'Alene Elks, 1170 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d'Alene.