Ervin Walter Olsen

Ervin Walter Olsen of Forest Grove died on October 26th at 89 years old.

A small service will be held for family at the Old Scotch Church.

Ervin (Erv) was born on September 30th, 1924, in Loama, Colorado. He was one of six children born to Lewis and Olive Olsen. Ervin moved to Hillsboro at age 10 and played football for Hillsboro High School. Through mutual friends, Erv met his future bride of 67 years, Elaine Gardner.

Erv joined the 10th Mountain Division of the US Army and served in Northern Italy in World War II. He earned a Bronze Star for his heroic service there. Upon his return he married Elaine on New Year's Eve, 1946. Within two years, Elaine gave birth to two girls.

Erv's career as a logger took the family to states across the West; in 1964 they returned to their roots in Hillsboro. Upon their return, Erv worked as a truck driver and later as a mechanic and maintenance man for the City of Hillsboro.

In his retirement, Erv and Elaine traveled across the West in their RV. Erv visited friends, played pinochle, and told tall tales of his life. Erv was a talented mechanic, builder, and artist, and he often puttered in his shop. He worked hard even after he retired -- building, welding and farming, and never forgetting to tend to his roses and dahlias.

To his granddaughters, Erv was the reason folks call it the "Greatest Generation." He was Jimmy Stewart in Shenandoah, Elvis going off to war, Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison, and Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch. Erv will be remembered for his grit, humility, shenanigans, and enormous heart.

He is survived by his wife Elaine, daughters Linda and Nancy, granddaughters Marcia, Erin, and Dina, and great granddaughter Valentine -- his favorite.