Mass of Christian burial was held on Friday, July 20, for Raymond Olafson, 85, of Minneota, at St. Edward Catholic Church in Minneota.

Olafson passed away on Monday, July 16, 2007, at the Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center in Marshall under the care of Prairie Home Hospice. Interment was at St. Edward Catholic Cemetery in Minneota with Military Honors provided by the U.S. American Legion Post 199 of Minneota.

Raymond Olafson was born on Dec. 28, 1921, in Minneota to Peter and Mary (Kiley) Olafson. He grew up in Minneota and graduated from Minneota High School in 1943.

Olafson served in the U. S. Army from 1944-1946 in the European Theater fduring Word War II. Following his honorable discharge he returned to Minneota. Olafson worked for Gambles, started Ray's Refrigeration; sold insurance for Farmer's Insurance and for the Catholic Order of Foresters.

He was united in marriage to Katherine Moorse at St. Edward Catholic Church in Minneota..

Olafson was involved with the Catholic Order of Foresters, the Minneotat Youth Group in particular. In 1997 he was recognized by the Minnesota Catholic Order of Forester's with the first Fraternalist of the Year award. He served as Secretary/Treasures of the Minneota Lions; Secretary/Treasurer of the Minneota Fire Department; as Financial Secretary for the Minneos Court of Catholic Order of Foresters and was a member of the U.S. American Legion Post 199 of Minneota.

He is survived by his wife Katherine of Minneota, daughters Marge (Gary) Thostenson of Mintevodeo; Joan (Barry) Detloff of Somerset, Wis.; son David (Margaret) Olafson of Marshall; sister, Catherine (Elmer) Schumacher of Elk River; three grandchildren; nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Bernard and one nephew, James Schumacher.