R. Eric Olson

Eric, a man whose life was a masterclass in finding joy, passed away peacefully at the age of 84. Born Roland Eric Olson in Helena, Montana, he carried the big skies of his home state with him—a sentiment he wore around his waist in the form of signature, oversized belt buckles.

After moving to the Twin Cities as a boy, Eric married Susan, and they had three children: Todd, Kirk, and Greta. Though Susan and the kids later moved out of state, his children—and eventually grandchildren, remained incredibly important to him. He later met his beloved wife, Betty, and for forty years they built a life together in their home in Bloomington. Through Betty, his family grew to include her three children and, eventually, a whole new generation of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Eric's professional life was a testament to his creativity and wit. He was a natural networker, with an easygoing charisma that made him friends everywhere he went. As a gifted artist, he channeled his passion into a career in packaging sales and design, where his talent for drawing was a constant source of wonder. His family and friends, however, were the true recipients of his art. He was notorious for drawing whimsical cartoons and characters on personal notes, each one unique and entertaining.

More than anything, Eric loved to laugh. He always had jokes to share, and his infectious laughter was often more entertaining than the joke itself. It's said that his jokes were like his fishing stories: the more he told them, the bigger they got. It was this kind of pure, unbridled joy that made him so beloved.

Eric was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Linne Olson; his father, Roland; and his mother, Doris. He is survived by a large and loving family who will carry his legacy of laughter and love. He leaves behind his children, Todd Olson, Kirk Olson (wife Susan), and Greta Olson; his step-children, Stephanie Carlson, Scott Bjorlin (wife Cyndi), and Mark Bjorlin (wife Karen); and sister, Mary Jacobson (husband Thomas). His legacy of laughter also lives on through his grandchildren, Lizz (husband Jon), Meredith (husband Loren), Mitch (wife Leah), Katie (husband Garrett), Alayna, Josh (wife Nicole), Abby (husband Mark), Chloe, Jude, Nicolas, Jack, and Annika; and his great-grandchildren, LJ, Elliot, Lilou, Ezra, Piper, Julian, Ruth, Obadiah, Theo, Hadassah, Moses, and Walter, all of whom brought him immense joy.

A private celebration of life will be hosted by his family, a gathering to honor a man who found the humor in life and shared it freely with everyone he met.