BERT OLSEN, a loving husband and father, passed away at his home on Saturday June 28, 2003 after a long struggle with cancer. He was 72 years of age.
He was born on September 25, 1930 in Mount Vernon, WA, one of three children of Norwegian immigrants, Benjamin & Hilda Olsen. He was raised in Granite Falls, WA. As a young man he was active in Boy Scouts and attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He was united in marriage to Betty Gassett in Anacortes in 1970.
Bert was an auto mechanic for over 36 years, and he also had his own business of breaking and training horses. More recently he worked with wood carvings crating unique wildlife figures. He was also an avid fly fisherman and hunter.
Bert was preceded in death by his parents Benjamin & Hilda and two sisters, Greta and Arlene.
He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Betty at the family home. Their ten children, consisting of the following from oldest to youngest, Mike Lake and children, Kent & Keli, living in Snohomish County; David Lake and wife Diana and children Ryan & Tami of Alger; Dale Olsen and children Eric & Gailen of Birdsview; Phyllis Claybo and husband Clyde and children Tera & Shannon of Birdsview; Candy Crosby and children; Wayne Olsen and wife Joann and children Cherina, Justin, Deanna & Jennifer of Alaska; Colleen Tanaka and husband Jason of California; Steve Lake and wife Leanna and children Sai, Jemma and Niamh of Deer Park, WA; Ben Olsen, and Dan Olsen and wife Cheryl and children. He was also a foster parent to Ricky Allen and a great grandfather to Kalysta, Kaden & Devin Lake.
A potluck memorial service will be held at Rasar State Park in Birdsview on July 9, 2003 at 1:00 PM.
Cremation arrangements under direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. Share thoughts and memories of Bert and sign the online guest register at www.lemleychapel.com