Dr. Glenn William Olsen

It is with great sadness that we share the sudden passing of Dr. Glenn William Olsen on June 4, 2025. His wife and daughters were with him in his final moments. Glenn was born on August 4, 1947, in Dayton, Ohio, to Kermit and Helen May (Clark) Olsen. During his elementary years, the family moved to Beloit, Wisconsin. He graduated from Beloit High School in 1965, making lifelong friends while there. He went on to study at Macalester College, receiving his undergraduate degree in History and Social Sciences in 1969. Upon graduation, he taught history and urban studies for two years at Minneapolis Public Schools before moving to Eugene, Oregon, to complete his Masters in Education (Curriculum and Instruction). In 1978, he earned another masters degree in Child Development at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and continued on to obtain his PhD in Educational Leadership in 1985. It was during this time that he finally convinced Barbara Hager to marry him, after waiting patiently for 10 years. They were married on October 2, 1982. In 1985, Glenn and his family moved to Crookston, Minnesota, where he served as a professor in the Hospitality and Home Economics Division at the University of Minnesota-Crookston. In 1991 he became an Assistant Professor in the Teaching and Learning Department at the University of North Dakota, eventually moving his way up to Department Chair, which he occupied from 2001 to 2013. Glenn's focus and passion was early childhood education. He knew the value of supporting young fathers and was a parent educator for three years through ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education), leading two classes: Dads and Me and Young Fathers. Glenn brought his education background to Crookston Public Schoolsand was elected to the school board, serving from 2000 to 2008. While living in Crookston, Glenn and Barb raised their three daughters-Ann, Sarah, and Becca. Glenn's greatest blessing was his family, which was everything to him - he loved being a dad and was greatly involved in his daughters' lives as they grew up. He planned extensive road trips with Barb and the girls, most notably a month-long road trip to Atlanta for the 1996 Olympics. He took his daughters on special spring break trips, sharing his love of travel and new experiences with them. Later on, when he and Barb retired to the Twin Cities, you'd find him wrestling, building, or reading with his grandchildren. He loved being present in his grandchildrens' lives and was so proud of each of them. He and Barb took every opportunity they could to attend their grandchildrens' sporting events and concerts. He loved to play chess and other games and watch his grandchildren gain the confidence and knowledge to beat him. Glenn had so many passions, each one of them centered around people and building relationships. Glenn loved the game of soccer, and during his time in Crookston helped to bring it to the community. He was a soccer coach for each of his daughters and spent many summers refereeing tournaments. He coached many teams in the community, with his players becoming like family to him. A highlight of his coaching career was coaching the Grand Forks Central girls soccer team to the state championship after the flood of 1997. He lived to make the world a better place for everyone he met. He was a member of countless organizations throughout his life, most recently as a member the Hallie Q. Brown Retired Men's Club and on various boards and committees at Joan of Arc Catholic Church - a place that gave him much peace and joy. Glenn was an avid reader and writer, and published numerous books and articles on topics of education and parenting. He enjoyed sharing his love for reading and learning with those around him. He also loved meeting new people, and was known for starting conversations with strangers wherever he went. He enjoyed theater and music, and was always happy to share stories of when he attended Woodstock '69. Bird watching became another hobby during retirement; he took pride in caring for the feeders, and had immense joy watching the birds come through. Glenn was preceded in death by his father Kermit Olsen, mother Helen May Olsen, father-in-law, Norman Hager and aunts and uncles. He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Barb; daughters Ann (Kris), Sarah (Steve), and Becca (Nick); grandchildren Henry, Isaac, and Miles Samms; Kayden, Calimae, Jaxson, and Matthew Newman; and Charlie and Will Olson; brother Gordon (Midge); mother-in-law Charlotte Hager; nieces and nephews and extended family. He will be greatly missed. How lucky are we to have had something that makes saying goodbye so hard. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center Food Shelf or another social support organization of your choice. A celebration of Glenn's life will be held at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota on June 28, 2025. Visitation with family will be at 10:00 am. Celebration of Glenn's life will be at 11:00 am with a light lunch to follow.

Tributes

Dr. Glenn William Olsen

August 4, 1947 - June 4, 2025

Tributes

Dr. Glenn William Olsen

August 4, 1947 - June 4, 2025

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