Obituary of Douglas Jon Olson

Douglas Jon Olson, age 71, of Plymouth, passed away peacefully on March 21, 2023, after a long and courageous journey with Parkinson’s Disease.

Born to Hubert and Florence Olson, teased and loved by older siblings Brad and Carol, Doug grew up in the city of Richfield and graduated from the University of MN in 1974 with a degree in biology. He joined Burlington Northern as a track laborer after graduation. Four years later he began working at Metropolitan Medical Center, where he met a nurse, who became his wife. After completing a second BS at the University of Minnesota in Mechanical Engineering, Doug worked for MTS Systems Crop for 26 years as a Senior Product Development Engineer in the Transducer Dept. Doug was known for his skill and creativity at MTS and was honored to be a part of several patents there.

Doug was a special man – he was kind, calm, intelligent, and loving. He had a very quick and dry sense of humor. He enjoyed biking, swimming, camping, hiking, sailing, kayaking, and was a graceful and daring downhill skier.  He could fix anything. He had boundless energy, even with advanced Parkinsons. Doug showed us how to be positive, funny, and uncomplaining no matter what new problem came along. He was always worried more about us than himself. He never gave up hope for a cure.

He was a fantastic father, always having a special rapport with kids, especially his own. He was thrilled to become a grandfather to Lars this past year. As a husband he was simply the best, always putting me first. Our love story was all I ever dreamed of.

Doug loved and was loved by Mary his wife of 38 years, daughter Ren and her partner Mat, son Matthew, and grandson Lars Westrup. Also loved and survived by brother Dr. Bradley (Sue) Olson, sister Carol (Bill) Henning, brothers-in-law David (Lorraine) and Daniel Thompson, his aunt Bernice Noreen, and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Special thanks to his neurologist of 22 years Dr. Sotirios Parashos, Allina Hospice, and Walker Methodist Care Suites for their skilled and loving care. Eternal gratitude to our son Matt for his incredible gift of caretaking his Dad through many of his last years.

It is said we are made from stardust … and so back into the universe goes the most incredible man. Goodbye my love, my sweet and special Doug. We love you. Your memory will bless us for the rest of our lives.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday April 22 at 4pm at the Cremation Society of MN, 7835 Brooklyn Blvd., Brooklyn Park, MN 55445, with a visitation starting at 3pm.