Larry E. Olson, 80, of Aurora, MN, and Mesa, AZ, passed away on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at his home of natural causes.  Larry was born on November 4, 1945, in Sycamore, IL.  When he was 2 years old, he and his mother moved to Spooner, WI.  Larry graduated from Spooner High School in 1963.  Upon graduation he attended Superior Technical School, graduating with a degree in Sheet Metal Drafting.  After graduation, he moved to the Chicago, IL area to work.  He returned in 1965 and joined the Spooner Army National Guard.  He was honorably discharged from the Army in September 1971.  Upon completion of Basic Training, he moved to the Minneapolis, MN area.

In Minneapolis he met his wife Barbara Stickney and they were married on October 22, 1966, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Eveleth, MN.  They would have been celebrating their 60th Anniversary this October.  In 1968 they moved, along with their young son Paul, to Duluth MN. This is when Larry started his career in the carpet/flooring business.  He worked for 5 years for Goldfine's as their carpet buyer and managed their store locations until they closed.  While in Duluth, youngest son Scott was born.  Upon the closing of Goldfine's, the family moved back to the Twin Cities area finally settling in Apple Valley, MN.  Larry continued his career in the carpet/flooring industry.  When he retired in May 2003, he completed his career as a Vice President for DuPont Flooring System located in Eagan, MN.  Throughout his career he made many lasting friendships which he cherished.

Larry was a Melvin Jones Fellow recipient from the Rosemount, MN Lions Club.  Upon  retiring in 2003,  Larry and Barb moved to their log home on Embarrass Lake, and Larry joined the Men's Golf League and Senior Golf at the Virginia Golf Course.  When at the condo in Mesa, AZ, he played as much golf as possible with U.S. and Canadian friends.  Some of his greatest times were at the golf course or working in his yard.  He dearly loved the time spent with his 3 grandchildren; Cody (22), Carter (21) and Sydney (15).  He was very proud of their achievements.

He is survived by his wife of 59 plus years: Barbara (Stickney); sons: Paul (Kris) Ramsey, MN, and Scott (Angie), Lakeville, MN;  grandchildren: Cody, Carter, and Sydney;  Sister: Julie Glessing, Spooner, WI; brothers:  Lee (Chris) Olson, Chippewa Falls, WI,  and Major Wayne Olson, retired US Air Force, (Connie) Las Vegas, NV;  sisters-in-law: Paulette (Jerry) Bundich, and  Debbie Poderzay;  brother-in-law: Keith (Tammi) Stickney; and numerous nieces and nephews.  He will be missed by special nieces: Lisa Cheatham, Scottsdale, AZ and Heather Olson, Reno, NV.

He is preceded in death by his mother and step-father: Verna and Vernon Olson, Spooner, WI;  sister: Ann Kasparec, Spooner, WI;   in-laws:  Paul and Jean Stickney, Eveleth, MN; brother and sister-in-law:  David and Shelby Stickney, Eveleth, MN;  brother-in-law: Bill Poderzay, Mt. Iron, MN and brother-in-law:  Cal Glessing, Spooner, WI.

There will be a Celebration of Life in his honor on Friday, July 10th, from 12:00 noon – 3:00 pm at the VFW in Gilbert, MN:  224 N. Broadway Avenue.

Donations may be directed to the American Heart Assoc., the DAV, a place of your choice, or plant a tree in memory of Larry.

Family services are provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home, in Virginia.  To express condolences online please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com