Papa

Arthur Lamar Olson

Art “Papa” passed away peacefully on July 26, 2009 at the age of 79. Art was born on May 22, 1930 in Ada, Minnesota. He received his Bachelor of Science in Education from Moorhead State University in 1952 and earned his 5th year certificate from Washington State University. Art taught math at Mahnomen High School in Minnesota for eleven years.

He moved his family to Bellevue, Washington in 1964 and continued teaching in the Bellevue School District and at Bellevue Community College. Art retired from Bellevue High School in 1988.

He is survived by his wife Arlene, four children; Kathy, Janet, Jeff and Sandy, along with nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Art enjoyed music, hunting, hiking, working in his workshop, playing poker with his friends, spending time with his family and of course playing his banjo. We have enjoyed his stories and jokes and we have shared many laughs and tears.We will always love our Papa and will miss him. You will always be with us.

I will always remember all of his jokes and stories. He loved bluegrass music. My grandma would make him listen to it in his workshop in the garage.


He used to walk to Crossroads Shopping Mall and listen to their live music or visit with friends.
He liked to build things in his workshop.


I always listened to his stories about his life, and wish I would have asked him more questions.


He passed away at Cascade Nursing Home in between Redmond and Kirkland. We were all there when he passed. He was surrounded by the people who loved him. It was the hardest thing I have ever experienced. He is in a better place now, a place where he is not sick anymore and not in any pain. He is there with their dog Holly and my Grandpa's parents.