Andrew Gunnar Olness

Andrew Gunnar Olness, 73, of Peterson, Minnesota died on Monday, May 16, 2016 at Mayo Clinic Hospital - St. Mary’s Campus in Rochester. He was born in Rushford to Norman and Agnes (Gunderson) Olness on August 11, 1942.

He was a graduate of the Peterson High School, the University of Minnesota College of Agriculture and taught high school agriculture in Canton and Grand Meadow, Minnesota. He took over the family farm near Peterson in 1969 and farmed all his life. He also continued his father’s seed business through 2015.

He is survived by his four sisters: Karen Olness Torjesen (Hakon) of Kenyon, MN,Julianna Olness Wright of Raleigh, NC, Sigrid Olness Kilcullen of Fort Royal, VA, and Elisabeth Olness Emerson (Alva) of Minneapolis. He is also survived by 11 nieces and nephews and 27 great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and ten aunts and uncles.

His great joy was in reading the Bible and praying three times daily. The list of people he prayed for was very long. He enjoyed playing the guitar, reading about the Titanic history, making walnut cookies and lefse, going for hikes in the woods,and visiting with his friends and family. He enjoyed working with old machinery and tractors, country music, and taking small trips with his family.

Funeral Service will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 20th, 2016, at Arendahl Lutheran Church (36689 State Highway 30, Peterson) with Pastor Sara J. Walker Brown officiating.  A time of visitation and sharing will one hour prior to the service on Friday at the Church.  The committal service will take be at the Arendahl Cemetery.

Johnson-Riley Funeral Home in Lanesboro is assisting the family with arrangements.   To share a condolence with the family, please visit rileyfuneralhomes.com

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