Kenneth J. Olson

ASHLAND, Wis. - Kenneth J. Olson, 81, of Ashland, formerly of Erwin Township, Ironwood, Mich., died peacefully Wednesday morning, Sept. 20, 2017, at Memorial Medical Center in Ashland, with his loving family by his side.

He was born Feb. 19, 1936, in Erwin Township, son of the late Edward and Mary (Kokko) Olson, attended K.P. Silberg Grade School and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1951. He proudly served his country for three years stateside in the U.S. Marine Corps and was honorably discharged as a corporal on March 16, 1957.

Following his discharge, Ken attended Michigan Tech University and received a degree in accounting in 1961. Moving to Detroit, he was employed as an accountant for GM Diesel until returning to Ironwood in 1974 and working as office manager at Ironwood Products and Ironwood Concrete Products until his retirement.

Ken was a member of Ironwood Masonic Lodge 389, where he served as past Master, Junior Warden, Senior Warden, and in various other positions. He was also a member of the International Shrine, Knights Templar, Ironwood American Legion Post 5 and the former 40 et 8 Voiture and was an outdoor sports enthusiast.

He was married to the former Carol Johnson of Ironwood. She preceded him in death.

Surviving are two sons, Kerry (Penny Kinley), Milaca, Minn., and Ken, Ironwood; a daughter, Kristie Arnott (Jim Winters), Buckhannon, W.V .; four grandchildren, Mark Arnott Jr., Angela Arnott and Ashley (Mathew) George, all of Buckhannon, and Steven Arnott, Knoxville, Tenn .; great-grandson, Jacob George; and a sister, Betty Montie, Jacksonville, Fla.

Besides his parents, Ken was predeceased by a son, Jeffrey, in 2006; daughter-in-law, Sue Olson, in 2016; and two sisters, Jean Klemm and Delores Dow.

Per his wishes, cremation has taken place.

Memorial services, under the auspices of Ironwood Masonic Lodge 389, will be held Monday, Oct. 2, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, 305 N. Lowell St., in Ironwood.

Full military honors will follow, accorded by the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard and Gogebic-Iron Marine Detachment.

Private inurnment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood. Condolences may be expressed online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.