Charles Peter (Chuck) Olson, of Burnsville Minn., died July 1, 2026, at his home. He was born April 13, 1941, in Bertha Minn., the son of Lillian (Dahlstrom) and Cleve Olson. He grew up in Miltona and graduated from Alexandria High School, in 1959.
He attended the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1963. He then enlisted in the army and was stationed at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas.
Following his honorable discharge, he moved to Montevideo, Minn., where he was a social worker for Chippewa County until 1967. He then worked for the State Department of Human Services for a short time before taking the position as Interim Director at Nobles County Family Services in Worthington where he met Carole Schneider. They were married in 1969. In 1973 he was offered the position of Director of Rock County Family Services in Luverne. He held that position for 20 years. In retirement he enjoyed working part time as a driver for different delivery services.
Growing up in central Minnesota, Chuck loved the lakes. He shared this love with his family. Christina and Joanna remember cabin days on Lake Mary and cruising other Alexandria area lakes in their dad’s 1969 Larson motorboat. (The boat is now on display in the Legacy of the Lakes Museum in Alexandria.)
He faithfully followed Minnesota sports teams, always believing a Super Bowl victory for the Vikings was just around the corner. He also enjoyed travel. Scandinavia, Italy, Alaska, Russia and Cuba were high on his list.
Chuck is survived by his wife Carole and daughters Christina Pfingsten (Dan) of New Hope and Joanna Olson (Nate Hohm) of Denver Colo.; granddaughters Ava and Brynn Pfingsten; nieces Suzanne Heinrichs and Cheryl Schneider and nephews Jon Heinrichs and Malcolm Heath. Chuck was preceded by his parents and sisters Cynthia Heinrichs and Carol Heath.
Services for Charles Olson were at 11 a.m. on July 15 at White Funeral Chapel in Burnsville with burial at 1 p.m. on July 16 at Carlos Prairie Cemetery near Alexandria.
Condolences at: www.whitefuneralhomes.com
