Marvin Olsen

Marvin Carol Olsen was born in Rocky Ford, Colorado, and grew up on his parents' farm with his three brothers and two sisters. His father came to America from Sweden, and his mother was born in Fredericksburg, Texas.

He joined the Army Air Corps in 1939 and was stationed at Hickham Field, Pearl Harbor, on December 7, 1941, where he was wounded during the Japanese attack. He went on to serve with the General Billy Mitchell Squadron in India and China as Crew Chief and Gunner. He rose to the rank of Master Sergeant. He volunteered to be sent to Guadalcanal in 1944 to establish Henderson Field from the remnants of a Japanese airbase. Months later he fell ill from malaria and was sent back to Hawaii. He received two Purple Hearts and the Distinguished Flying Cross among other awards.

He married Winona Wilker on July 1, 1945, in Vineland, Colorado and went to work for United Airlines in Denver. He earned a Bachelor's degree in business from the University of Denver and remained at United Airlines his entire career in airplane maintenance and management.

He was a devoted member of St. Mary's Anglican Catholic Church of Denver and served as a Republican committeeman and on various political campaigns. He was an avid golfer, a master barbeque chef, and could fix anything that needed fixing. There's no measure of the bond he had with his family. He loved everyone without conditions. He is survived by his three sons, Kent (and his wife Shauna), Keith, and Eric (and his wife Suzanne), eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary's Anglican Church, 2290 S. Clayton St., Denver, CO 80210.

To share a memory of Marvin or leave a special condolence message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.