Mpls, MN - Stanley Norris Olson, child of God, died suddenly on Sept. 12. He was 79. In death, as in life, he is surrounded by the love of his family and a vast community.

Stan was born on March 17, 1946 to Norris and Joyce (Narland) Olson. Faith and learning were family priorities; they set Stan on a lifelong path of service to God and neighbor. He grew up in Eagle Grove, IA, attended Waldorf College ('66), St. Olaf College ('68), Luther Seminary ('72) and Yale University ('76). As a parish pastor, bishop, Director of Vocation and Education for the ELCA, and seminary president, Stan was a servant leader who lived out his confidence that nothing separates us from the love of God.

For 54 wonderful years, Stan shared his life with Nancy Lee (Stuckey) Olson. Together, they cared for family, community, and the world. In addition to Nancy, Stan is survived by daughters Maren Olson (Jamie McBride) and Christa Olson (Anna Henning); grandchildren Finnegan, Freya, Ian, and Sila; siblings Carmen Peter, Julia Wentz (Chris Simoni), and Kent Olson (Linda); and brother-in-law Richard Stuckey. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister-in-law Rusty Stuckey, and his brothers-in-law John Wentz and Leonard Peter.

Service: Sept. 20th, 1 pm at Central Lutheran in Minneapolis. Visitation, 12 pm. Links for memorial gifts at www.washburn-mcreavy.com