Ernest Herman Olson, age 91, of Baldwin, died peacefully on September 10, 2011 at the Baldwin Care Center.

Ernest was born May 24, 1920 to Nels and Bertha (Stone) Olson in Baldwin.  The second youngest of seven kids, he grew up in Baldwin, attended school at the country school one half mile from the home farm, and graduated from Baldwin High School with the class of 1938.  In 1942 Ernest joined the US Army and proudly served in Europe during World War II.  During his service time he earned the rank of Tec 5 and received a Bronze Star.  When he returned from his military service he took on work for the St. Croix County Highway Department.  He was with the department for 3 years and then began work for the Baldwin Cooperative Creamery, which became Mid America Dairymen.  He would retire from Mid America Dairymen in 1984 after 35 years of service.  It was in 1955 that Ernest would be united in marriage to Lorna Paulson of Moose Lake, Minnesota.  The two met at a wedding after Ernest’s time in the military, continued to write letters to each other and stay connected through the years.  They were married in Moose Lake and the union would be blessed with 3 children, Lori, Shelly and Lance.  Lorna passed away in 2002 and Ernest would remain in Baldwin.  He was active in his church, Gethsemane Lutheran Church and was a member of the Baldwin American Legion Post #240.  He enjoyed reading books, and attending draft horse events, mainly shows and horse pulls.  Ernest was always happy to tell stories of his childhood and early farm days and for a time enjoyed traveling.  With Lorna they toured much of the continental US, including Yellowstone, the Canadian Rockies and an annual trip to see family in Mississippi. 

Ernest is survived by his: children, Lori (John) Jones of Pelahatchie, MS, and Lance (Lori) Olson of Columbus, MN; grandchildren, Crystal (Andrew) Satnik, Casey (Trey) Bennett, Jeremiah Olson, Wil Jones, Caleb Jones, and Jessica Jones; great-granddaughter, Olivia Satnik; sister Lorraine Radunzel of Chippewa Falls, WI; and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Ernest is preceded in death by his: parents; wife, Lorna; daughter, Shelly; brothers, Ralph, Alvin, and Stuart Olson; sisters, Leona Fern and Bernice Radunzel, and nephew and close friend, Dale Fern.

A funeral celebration of life for Ernest will be held on Friday September 16, 2011 at 11am at the Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Baldwin, WI.  Burial will follow at the Peace Lutheran Cemetery.  Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 15 from 4-7pm as well as 1 hour prior to services ALL AT GETHSEMANE LUTHERAN CHURCH in Baldwin.  Services are in the care of the O’Connell Family Funeral Home.  715.684.3434