Obituary of Donald P. Olson

Donald (Donnie) P. Olson (66), longtime resident of Fernwood, ID, passed away at his home on April 27, 2016 after a long and courageous fight with cancer. He was born to Phillip and Thelma (Walters) Olson on January 18, 1950 in Coos Bay, OR. At 2 years old, Donald lost his father and the family relocated to Fernwood, ID. His mother married Butch Isaacson and he raised Donnie and his sister Vicci as his own. The family continued to live in Fernwood, and Donnie went to the Fernwood School until the 8th grade when he attended St. Maries High School, graduating with the class of 1968. Following high school, Donnie enrolled at Lewis and Clark Normal (currently known as LCSC). After 2 years in Lewiston, he transferred to the University of Idaho where he spent 3 years. In those three years he met Anna Finkelnburg. They married on November 27, 1973 in Coeur d’ Alene, ID. Donnie went to work at the Fernwood Merc for his dad. He and Anna started their family having 2 children Daisy and Ethan. The couple raised their children in Fernwood. Donnie retired from the Fernwood Merc in 2009. In his retirement he enjoyed the outdoors, camping,skiing, bicycling, and hunting and fishing with his chums. At one time he rode horses and his favorite was his horse named Old Pal whom he loved. Donnie loved to learn and he loved being active. He always had a project he was working on. He was an artist and was very creative. Donnie was a people person who was very social, and he appreciated the uniqueness of individuals. He had a great sense of humor which he maintained through the end of his life. In his youth, Donnie was a lifetime member of the St. Maries Gun Club and a member of the St. Maries Elks Lodge. Donnie had a quiet faith loving his family, friends, and the lord. Donnie is survived by his wife Anna at the family home in Fernwood, his son Ethan Olson of Lewiston, ID; daughter and son in-law Daisy and Matt Lewis of Boise, ID; his sister and brother in-law Vicci and Jay Trueman of Fernwood, ID; his brothers and sisters in-law Karl and Debbie Finkelnburg of Portland, OR and John and Denise Finkelnburg of Ellensburg, WA. He is also survived by one granddaughter and numerous nieces and nephews. Donnie is preceded in death by is parents. A memorial service will be held Saturday May 14, 2016 at 10:00am at Riverside Cemetery in Santa, ID. A gathering of family and friends will follow at the Elks Lodge in St. Maries, Idaho.