Dr. Carl James Olson

Carl was born on January 7, 1927, in Dayton, Iowa, to Scandinavian immigrants, Andrew and Anna Marie Nielsen Olson. Carl’s father, Andrew, passed away when Carl was a young boy, leaving Mrs. Olson, originally from Denmark, to raise him and his older sister, Edna, on her own during the Depression. Her strength, selflessness, and strong religious faith left indelible marks on her children. Selling vegetables from her sizable garden and cleaning chickens for the local diner each week enabled her to save $275 in quarters, which she gave to her children to help them go to college.

Carl came of age for the draft near the end of World War II, but joined the Navy’s Officer Training Program, a fortuitous choice as it gave him the opportunity to pursue college studies at DePauw University and Iowa State. Inspired by a mentor in his hometown, Carl went to Northwestern University to interview for entry into the dental school. A twist of fate caused him to enter Northwestern’s medical school instead, and he graduated from Northwestern Medical School in 1951. During his internship at Swedish Covenant Hospital, Chicago, he met Marilyn Molin, a nursing student at Swedish Covenant. On March 24, 1951, Carl and Marilyn were married at the Evanston Covenant Church, near the Northwestern campus..

After a brief time in a small-town practice near Grand Rapids, Michigan, Carl and Marilyn moved to Gladstone, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Marilyn had grown up in nearby Escanaba, and on a family visit there, Carl learned of an opportunity in a Gladstone clinic. He loved to tell the story that his new partners didn’t even have to change the name on their front door, as the doctor he was replacing was also named Carl J. Olson.

Carl and Marilyn lived in Gladstone until 1984. Carl’s many patients remember him as a tireless physician who treated his patients with compassion, dedication, and love. During his Gladstone years, he was elected several times to the Gladstone School Board, was a member of Rotary, and led the congregation of the Covenant Church as chairman for many years.

The Olsons relocated to Palm Harbor, Florida in 1984, where Carl continued to practice medicine until his retirement in 1998, at the age of 71.

Carl and Marilyn had three daughters, and were strong supporters of their children’s activities and education. A loving father and dedicated husband, he cherished his family above all else. His deep love for Marilyn was a true example of lifelong commitment.

Carl is survived by his loving wife , Marilyn Molin Olson; three daughters and sons-in-law, Kristen Olson Lahner, Denver, Colo. ( Ron); Karolyn Olson Rice ,Wooster, Ohio, (David); and Kimberly Olson Peterson, Sarasota, Fla., and Walloon Lake, Mich. ( Bruce); seven grandchildren: John Lahner ( Allison), Erik Peterson (Lisa), Janna Lahner, Nils Peterson, Brendan Rice ( Elisa), Brian Rice ( Angelica), and Andrew Peterson; three great-grandchildren, Sophie and Jack Lahner, and Leonie Rice.

Carl will be interred at Curlew Hills, Clearwater, Fla., with a Celebration of Life to occur this summer. In lieu flowers, the family requests a donation to Suncoast Hospice Care Center, North Pinellas, 164 West Lake Road, Palm Harbor, FL 34684, in his name.

We thank our family and friends for all the love and support.