Paul Merlin Olson, Jr.

Obituary

Paul Merlin Olson Jr., 55, of Duluth, MN, passed from this life on May 28, 2020 at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worchester. Paul passed away from Cardiac Arrest not related to Covid 19. Paul first learned of his heart condition when his watch indicated that he was in Atrial Fib early November. He was scheduled to have an ablation to fix the irregular heart rate. Prior to the ablation procedure an echo cardiogram revealed a very severe Aortic Stenosis. Surgery was urgently planned a week later with his valve replaced and a maze procedure to fix the Atrial Fib. Paul was released a week later. Paul returned to the hospital in February again to correct the Atrial Fib. During Paul's long recovery they reached a decision to embrace their family knowing life can be lost in a minute.

On May 15th Paul and Pam set out for their new life nearer to their children. They reached their 3 beautiful granddaughters a day later and spent an amazing week doing what they most wanted to do, "be Papa and Grandma". On May 26th they set out for the last leg of their journey to be there when their grandson came home from the hospital. He did not get the chance to hold his grandson. Paul was admitted to the hospital at 4:30 PM and passed away alone (due to Covid 19) and scared, at 4:10 AM.

Paul was born August 9, 1964 in Duluth, Minnesota to the late Paul Merlin and Marilyn Lee Johnson Olson. Paul graduated from Central High School in Duluth and went on to seek his master's degree at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth. Paul worked for many years as a Nurse Practitioner, bringing comfort and care to countless ill and injured individuals. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend who will be greatly missed by all who were privileged to know him. In addition to his parents, Paul was preceded in death by his sister, Jan Sorenson and sister-in-law, Audra Bradley.

Survivors include his loving wife and life partner, Pamela Jane Hart Olson; children, Dr. Sannie Culbertson (Dr. Alan Culbertson) of Massachusetts and HM3 Kiefer Olson (HM3 Victoria Olson) of Ohio. Other survivors include four beautiful grandchildren, Adalyn, Arabella and Lillian Olson and Archibald Culbertson; siblings, Steven (Nancy) Olson, David (Kathy) Olson and Julianne (Gary) Gustafson; sibling in-laws, Mary Ann (Rhalen) Mertz, Rod (Debbie) Hart, and Larry (Kathy) Aspen, along with MANY extended family and friends.

Private memorial services will be announced at a later date.

Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, (501) 224-2200. Sign Paul's online guestbook at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.

https://www.smithfamilycares.com/obituary/Paul-Olson