Donald Olson, 76

Don H. Olson, 76, passed away at home on July 30, 2010 after a long battle with leukemia.

Don was born in Worcester, Mass. to Niles and Marion Olson.

Our father loved the Cape and had several stories of sleeping on the shore as a young man. He went to Clark University and to Rutgers University. He came to Niles in 1961 with National Standard, where he met our mother. They lived in five states and built 10 homes together. He was a good husband and father, and was active right to the end. He loved his garden and his cats. He also was adamantly opposed to discrimination of any kind and proudly belonged to the Michiana area PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) Chapter with our mother. He loved “Car Talk” and NPR in general.

We wish to thank Dr. Rafat Ansari for his care as well as the staff at Michiana Hemotology Oncology. He was an active member with Zion United Church of Christ and the GLBT Resource Center of Michiana, and the Read to a Child program at Perley School.

He leaves his children, Amy Olson Clifford (Les Miller), A. Lynn Gasvoda (Mike), Daniel Olson; and grandson, Cameron Rutledge. He also leaves his brother, Ed (Margaret); and three nephews, Eric (Karol), Jeff (Becky) and Chris (Tia); a niece, Robin (Reza); 13 great-nieces and nephews; as well as his brother-in-law, Bob Lee (Shari). His wife, Patricia, predeceased him in November 2006, as well as his brother Dick in 1981.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2010, at noon in Zion United Church of Christ, 715 East Wayne St., South Bend. A luncheon will follow the service in the basement of the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Indiana (http://lls.org or 941 East 86th St., Indianapolis, IN 46240) and to PFLAG (P.O. Box 4195, South Bend, IN 46634) would be greatly appreciated.

Welsheimer Funeral Homes have been entrusted with arrangements.

Family and friends may leave e-mail condolences at www.welsheimer.com.