Emery Francis Olsen, age 75 of Turtle Lake, ND, died November 7th, 2013 at Turtle Lake Community Memorial Hospital with his loving wife of 36 years at his side.

A memorial service will be held 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, November 12th at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, rural Turtle Lake, with Pastor Randy Emgarten officiating. Inurnment will follow in the church cemetery with military rites provided by the American Legion Post 133 of Turtle Lake. A prayer service will be held 4:30 P.M. Monday at St. Olaf Lutheran Church.

Emery was born March 5, 1938 at Crosby, ND, the first of three sons to Arthur M. and Martha (Dahl) Olsen. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Twin Butte Lutheran Church and was raised on the family farm – his Grandpa Dahl's homestead in Lincoln Valley township of Divide County. He attended Lincoln Valley School for the first 8 grades and graduated from Crosby High School in 1956. He enlisted in the US Army and served in Verdun, France. While serving in the US Army in France, he took all of his leave time to travel to Norway and visit the ancestral regions of his grandparents. From the stories told by his grandfather, he felt he had been there before.
Upon discharge from the Army he returned to Divide County to farm with his father Art. Emery was very active in numerous community organizations over the years, including the Crosby Jaycees receiving the Outstanding Farmer Award, Divide County Fair Board, Hard Red Wheat Show of Williston, Area Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Writing Rock Rural Water, Divide County Planning Commission, Fortuna Fire Department District, Crosby Curling Club, Fortuna Curling Club, Twin Butte Lutheran Church Council, Faith Lutheran Church Council of Fortuna, and Crosby Moose Lodge. Emery was a 4-H leader for over 10 years as well as a Sunday School teacher at Twin Butte Church.

Emery married Audrey Boe on November 5, 1977 at St Olaf Lutheran Church of rural Turtle Lake. In 1981, they adopted three children from Colombia, South America. In 1989, Emery went back to school and earned an Associate of Applied Sciences degree in Conservation Technology from Williston State College (in 1993) while working full time at the Divide County Soil Conservation District and part time at the duty free store at the international port of entry at Fortuna. He graduated as an honor student at age 55. He then taught the field survey class at Williston State to other Conservation Technology students. Emery enjoyed curling, snowmobiling, hunting, and watching his sons play sports.

In 2000, Emery retired and he and Audrey built their retirement home on Crooked Lake (north of Turtle Lake). He then served on the board of the South McLean Soil Conservation District for six years. He also served as President of the St Olaf Lutheran Church Council. One of his favorite things to do was to have morning coffee at the local Cenex/Farmers Union Oil station – be it in Crosby or Turtle Lake. Emery was a people person and made friends wherever he went.

Emery is survived by his wife, Audrey Boe Olsen; two sons, Ian and children Dylan, Haley and Mya of Crosby, ND, Alan (Emily Buckeye) and children Jevin, Keeley and Alise of Edgeley, ND; one daughter, Elizabeth (Ron) Eriksmoen and children Tia, Ethan, Kolby and Tucker of Prior Lake, MN; two brothers, Arlen (Wanda) and Mervin both of Crosby; brother-in-law, Bob (Debbie) Boe of Turtle Lake; seven nieces and one nephew.

He is preceded in death by his parents, granddaughter (Lauren Nicole Buckeye-Olsen), and sister-in-law (Gail Olsen).

The family suggests memorials to the donor's choice. Long live the memory of Emery Olsen.