Mr. Roger William Olson, 83, of Post Falls, Idaho, passed away quietly while surrounded by his loving family on the morning of July 30, 2015, at the Hospice House in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. He was born on Feb. 27, 1932, in Duluth, Minn., the son of Theodore G. Olson and Mae F. (Carlson) Olson Okronglis.

Roger served in the Army Air Corps in occupied Japan, and was also stationed in Moses Lake, Wash. After his service, Roger returned to Minnesota where he met his wife, Marlyn Masterson. They were married on Nov. 1, 1952, shortly before he was drafted and served again in the Korean War. He served in the 101st Airborne where he had sharpshooter qualification in a unit that received the Presidential Unit Citation and where he was awarded a Bronze Star.

Roger and Marlyn had five children and lived in Minnesota, Michigan and California before settling in Post Falls after he retired. After returning from Korea, he used his GI Bill Benefits to become a pilot. Flying was his lifelong passion; he was a longtime member of the Experimental Aircraft Association, built his own airplane and remained an active pilot in North Idaho throughout his 70s.

Roger also had a diverse career, which included working as a yuke driver, a fireman for the Northern Pacific Railroad, and in the Air Force and Navy Civil Service where he ended his career as the Director of Public Works at the Moffatt Naval Station in Mountain View, Calif.

After Marlyn passed away in 1996, Roger fell in love with his second wife, Margeen (Prince) Matelski, of Phoenix, Ariz.; they married on Nov. 25, 1998, and he gained three additional daughters. They remained happily married until his death.

Roger was predeceased by his parents; his brother, Howard (Butch) Olson and his first wife. He is survived by his wife, Margeen; his brother, Robert Olson of Duluth; his sister, Betty Gibbs (Bob) of Eire, Pa.; his eight children: Reed Olson of Post Falls, Richard Olson of Saginaw, Minn., Race Olson of the Philippine Islands, Kelly Lundquist (Dan) of Post Falls, Vicky Ahrens (Scott) of Post Falls, Cynthia Matelski of Cottonwood, Ariz., Sandra Ridgeway (Jerry) of Phoenix and Rhonda O'Neal of Prescott, Ariz. He is also survived by 29 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, Aug. 3, 2015, at Bell Tower Funeral Home in Post Falls. Viewing will be at 11 a.m. with the service beginning at noon. The family would like to welcome donations to Hospice House of North Idaho in lieu of flowers.