Joshua "Josh" Robert Olson

Joshua Robert Olson, 27, passed away from cancer on Sunday, August 18th at home surrounded by his loving family.

As a military kid, Joshua learned to appreciate adventure and different cultures and experiences from a young age. He attended St. John’s University, spending time abroad in both Italy and Greece and competing in track and field. After graduating with a degree in Chemistry, he joined the Benedictine Volunteer Corps, spending a year in Hanga, Tanzania. There, he served the community in accordance with his values of fairness and justice for all. When COVID forced him to return, he began working at Don and Sons in Napa, California. As a wine chemist, he was able to use both his creativity and flair for experimentation to develop new flavors. Upon moving back home to Duluth, he furthered these skills by turning his attention to home brewing using apples sourced from his own yard.

 Joshua was a large presence—a shining light who was compassionate, caring, and loyal. This was especially apparent in his love for family, close friends, animals of all shapes and sizes, and his goal to become a hospital pharmacist. He was generous to a fault and happy to help anyone in need. Joshua was an avid outdoorsman, finding solace and inspiration in natural spaces such as the BWCA, the family cabin, and the ocean of the Pacific west. He came by his incredibly large heart and stubbornness honestly as he was a redhead with both Irish and Scottish ancestry.

He is preceded in death by his grandfather, Robert Hart, and uncle, Shaun Olson.

Joshua is survived by his parents, David and Stacy (Hart) Olson, his brothers Max, Jon, and Arik, his grandmother Janet Hart, grandparents Clyde and Jean Olson and his aunt Wendy Olson, uncles Gregg and Doug Hart (Tracey Hart) and many special cousins.

Visitation to be held at 10 am on Tuesday, August 27th until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am at St. John’s Catholic Church. Interment to follow at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations will be welcome to the Voyageurs Wolf Project or Essentia Health St. Mary’s Hospice.

voyageurswolfproject.org