First Special Service Force 5-3 Veteran.

Samuel Olson, 91, of Williston, North Dakota died of after battling lymphoma at his home in Williston, ND Thursday, July 21, 2011.

Samuel V. Olson was born February 14, 1920 to Samuel and Ragnhild (Johanessen) Olson near Arnegard, North Dakota. He was raised and educated in the Arnegard area. He loved horses and had moved out to Oregon to work on a large cattle ranch.

While in Oregon he was drafted into the Calvary. When the Calvary was mobilized, Sam joined the First Special Service Forces, forerunner of the "Green Berets". During his service he was awarded a Bronze Star. He served as Staff Sergeant for four years until his discharge.

While serving in Norway, Sam married Ragnhild (Paulsen) Braaten. To this union three children were born.

Sam lived and worked in the upstate New York area as a sheet metal mechanic until his retirement in 1978. Later that year, Sam married Shirley Maxson. The couple loved to travel and spent 26 years living in travel trailers. They spent much of their time helping others with odd jobs, such as painting homes, all kinds of carpentry, fencing, and cutting of a full winter's wood. They moved to Williston six years ago where they have resided since.

Sam is survived by his wife, Shirley (Maxson) of Williston, ND; sons, Clifford (Joni) and Larry; grandchildren, Julie (Dan) Koch, Jennifer, Christopher, Tandilyn, Devon, Kade, Kinzee, Scott (Gianna), and Jeanne (Ben) Arnold; and two great-grandsons, Jack and Ethan. He is also survived by 6 step-children; 12 step-grandchildren; and 21 step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Ruth; brother, Sherman; his son, Allan (Nancy) Olson.

First Special Service Force 5-3 Veteran.

Samuel Olson, 91, of Williston, North Dakota died of after battling lymphoma at his home in Williston, ND Thursday, July 21, 2011.

Samuel V. Olson was born February 14, 1920 to Samuel and Ragnhild (Johanessen) Olson near Arnegard, North Dakota. He was raised and educated in the Arnegard area. He loved horses and had moved out to Oregon to work on a large cattle ranch.

While in Oregon he was drafted into the Calvary. When the Calvary was mobilized, Sam joined the First Special Service Forces, forerunner of the "Green Berets". During his service he was awarded a Bronze Star. He served as Staff Sergeant for four years until his discharge.

While serving in Norway, Sam married Ragnhild (Paulsen) Braaten. To this union three children were born.

Sam lived and worked in the upstate New York area as a sheet metal mechanic until his retirement in 1978. Later that year, Sam married Shirley Maxson. The couple loved to travel and spent 26 years living in travel trailers. They spent much of their time helping others with odd jobs, such as painting homes, all kinds of carpentry, fencing, and cutting of a full winter's wood. They moved to Williston six years ago where they have resided since.

Sam is survived by his wife, Shirley (Maxson) of Williston, ND; sons, Clifford (Joni) and Larry; grandchildren, Julie (Dan) Koch, Jennifer, Christopher, Tandilyn, Devon, Kade, Kinzee, Scott (Gianna), and Jeanne (Ben) Arnold; and two great-grandsons, Jack and Ethan. He is also survived by 6 step-children; 12 step-grandchildren; and 21 step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Ruth; brother, Sherman; his son, Allan (Nancy) Olson.