Lowell Olson — Dodge Center

Lowell Robert Olson, 68, of Dodge Center, passed away on May 2, 2016, at Mayo Clinic Hospital-Saint Marys Campus after a lengthy and well-fought battle with cancer.

Lowell was born on June 3, 1947, to Leonard and Rosella (Olsgard) Olson from Lenora. He graduated from Canton High School. He was united in marriage to Nina (Candy) Adams, and they were later divorced. He married Elizabeth "Liz" Theuer on Oct. 14, 1989, in Dodge Center.

Lowell moved to Dodge Center in the early '70s to work for Don Stafford at Don's Tire Service. After Don's retirement, Lowell opened his first Tire and Auto business, which later became Lowell's Auto Sales. He sold cars to retail customers and won numerous awards, including the Tristate Northland Independent Auto Dealers Association Golden Eagle Award for his leadership qualities in membership development and state legislative matters, and for being a high-volume retail and wholesale dealer. He was subsequently honored as the Minnesota Quality Dealer of the Year by this same organization and served as its Executive Vice President. He was also recognized as a member of the Top Buyers Club at North Star Auto Auction in Shakopee. Lowell loved buying cars and went to auctions two to three times a week.

Lowell continually found ways to help grow Dodge Center and meet the needs of the community by serving in these leadership roles: president of the Dodge Center Chamber of Commerce, president of the Dodge County Saddle Club, member of the Dodge Center ambulance and fire department, the Lions Club and the Jaycees, and Faith Lutheran Church. He chaired many fundraising events and was viewed as a leader who was always willing to serve and to help his community, and was a recipient of the Dodge Center Business Person of the Year Award. He eventually transitioned to Lowell Olson's Auto Sales & Rental, and continued in this business until the time of his death.

Lowell also found a way to meet the affordable housing needs of the community by renovating more than 30 homes. This helped those in need attain home ownership through this venture and added revenue to the city of Dodge Center tax base. He also had rental apartments and houses.

Lowell found great joy raising and owning high quality registered Paint horses at his horse farm, called the Circle O Ranch. He loved to have "horse people" stop in to visit, and took great pride in showing them his horses. He and his wife Liz won many local and state honors for the horses they raised by breeding to the top bloodlines in the nation. He was a longtime mentor and friend to many in the horse industry. In every aspect of Lowell's life, he was known for his generosity and kindness, and for always being so willing to help anyone in need.

He was a member of the American Paint Horse Association and Southeastern Minnesota Saddle Club Association (SEMSCA), and was a member of the Dodge County Saddle Club, serving as president for several years. He was also awarded Horseperson of the Year by the SEMSCA organization. He loved to go camping and horseback riding, and took many trips to South Dakota, Wisconsin and Missouri over the years, and thoroughly enjoyed sitting by the campfire and enjoying time with his family and friends. He also enjoyed going to auctions to search for antiques, horse treasures and farm machinery.

Lowell is survived by his wife of nearly 27 years, Liz; and children, Nacia (Randy Ferson) Olson, Gary (Lisa) Olson, Alissa Theuer (Mike Meyer), Wyatt Theuer (Stef Ruhter), of Dodge Center; six grandchildren: Joclyn (21), Talon (18), Awtum (13), Gavin (10), Mallory and Maxwell (10).

He is preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Leland Olson.

Visitation will be on Monday, May 9, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Czaplewski Family Funeral Home, 25 South St. SW, Dodge Center. The funeral will be on Tuesday, May 10, at 1:30 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 308 Second St. NW, Dodge Center, with the Rev. Barbara Streed officiating. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in Dodge Center.

Memorials are suggested to Riverside Cemetery, Dodge Center, or Faith Lutheran Church, Dodge Center.

Blessed be his memory.

www.czaplewskifuneralhomes.com