Hans Olsen

Mr. Hans Olsen, age 88, passed away peacefully with his daughter and his son-in-law by his side, December 31, 2007 in Muskegon, following a long illness. Mr. Olsen was born on June 15, 1919 in Norway to Ole A. and Signe (Gjeruldsen) Olsen. Growing up in Arendal, Norway, young Hans was an accomplished speed-skater and ski jumper. He served in the Norwegian Merchant Marines and upon arriving in the U.S. worked in NYC Brooklyn Harbor on a tugboat. He would later serve in the U.S. Army during WWII as a tugboat captain. On March 19, 1949, he married the former Alma Jensen. Hans was drawn to the water. He was raised on the water in Norway, lived on Mona Lake for 50 years, sailed competitively on Muskegon Lake and still ice skated around Mona Lake well into his senior years. Hans was a life member of the Masonic Lodge 182 and was a very active member of the Vikings Linne' Lodge #57 where he was a former Chief and sang with the Viking Singers. Mr. Olsen was employed at Shaw Walker for 32 years until retiring in 1981. He is survived by his wife, Alma; 2 daughters, Signe E. VanMeter of Sparta, MI and Sonja A. (Phil) Cappelleri of Norton Shores; 1 brother, Ole Olsen in Norway; 2 sisters, Alice Knutsen and Anny Thorsen both of Norway; a sister-in-law Beverly Skok; and many nieces and nephews, 1 granddaughter and 2 great-grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, January 5, 2008 at: The Lee Chapel Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc. 6291 S. Harvey St. 231-798-1100 Minister and Son-in-law Philip A. Cappelleri officiating. The family will begin receiving friends 1 hour prior to the service. Military Honors will be provided by the Muskegon County Council of Veterans. Memorial: Vikings Linne' Lodge No. 57 Scholarship Fund.