Rane K. Olson
December 16, 1949 - December 16, 2016
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Rane K. Olson
December 16, 1949 - December 16, 2016
Obituary
Rane K. Olson passed away at the age of 67, on 12/16/2016, after a brief illness. Rane was born in Bellingham, WA to Sig and Charlotte Olson. Being raised in Ferndale, WA on Legoe Lane, Rane enjoyed playing in the fields, in the barn, and climbing trees with his siblings and neighborhood friends.
Rane was a hardworking man all his life, beginning on the family farm caring for the cows and the fence lines. At the age of 16, he worked frying donuts in the morning at the Ferndale bakery, going to school during the day, and shipping chickens in the evenings all while also raising a family. After graduating from Ferndale High School in 1968, Rane became employed with the City of Ferndale, where he worked for 11 years. In 1980, he began working with the City of Bellingham, retiring in 1999.
After retiring, Rane continued to work for RDub for another 6 years, then occasionally working with the Marietta Water District.
Rane was an icon in the Ferndale Old Settlers’ Parade as the driver of the Olson Clan jalopy. As the finale of the parade many people stayed to watch him pop wheelies in the 1929 Model A, often times taking his time to entertain the crowd with overheating, running out of gas or breaking down in an assortment of other ways. In 1993, Rane and the Olson Clan began participating in the Annual Custer Day parade as well. Rane met his wife, Stephanie, in 1993 and were married on May 28, 1999.
Rane was preceded in death by his parents, Sig and Charlotte Olson and his sister Diane Olson Ryder. He is survived by his wife, Stephanie of 17 years; brothers Greg (Doni) Olson, Jack (Sherry) Olson; sisters Rozanne Olson, Joanne (Dan) Castles; daughters Patty (Mark) Tripp and Heather (Ken) Wiseman; son Roger Olson; step-children Travis (Jamie) Thomas, Tiffany (Justin) McNutt, and Jaime (Jarid) Corbitt; nine grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren and step-grandchildren; cousins, nieces, nephews, Stephanie’s brothers and sister-in-law, former brother-in-law Sandy Ryder, lifelong friend Jerry Stoneking, and countless friends.
Rane’s sense of humor, quick wit and smile will be greatly missed not only by his large family but also the Ferndale community.
Celebration of Rane’s life will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2017 in the Ferndale High School auditorium at 1:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to Rescued Hearts Northwest, or a charity of your choice.
Celebration Of Life
- Date & Time: May 29, 2019 (12:00 AM)
- Venue: Ferndale High School Auditorium
- Location: 5830 Golden Eagle Drive Ferndale, WA 98264 - (Get Directions)
9 responses to Rane K. Olson
Monty and Bonnie Westford says:
December 16, 2016
Steph and the entire Olson clan: Gosh, are we ever going to miss Rane….He was one of those people who alwaysbrightened our day when we ran into him. He truly was one of a kind and that was admiral about him…We can’t
pretend to know how you all feel but a piece of me is now missing….Our very sincere sympathies.
Monty and Bonnie
Fuzzy says:
December 16, 2016
I just heard today of Rane’s passing. My heartfelt condolences to you all. He was such a fun guy to be around and always made me laugh. My favorite memories of him will always be at the city of Bellingham where he would tell me and Marty that we were going to drive him to drink ;) Also also how he would leave the funniest messages on my phone various nights. Cheers to Rane! He will be missed.
brandy lee says:
December 16, 2016
I am so sorry for your loss. I met Rane a few years ago at Main St Bar playing corn toss . He was a handsome cowboy with a kind word and a beautiful smile. He also was step dad to my old neighbors on Superior St. Small world…now smaller without him. Bless you all, Brandy Lee
Debbie Miller says:
December 16, 2016
He will be greatly missed! My condolences to your family and all his friends. He is in heaven now and no longer in any pain. He will always be in your heart, remember all the good times and he is always with you, looking down on you and holding your hand when times are hard. Don’t ever forget that he loved you, don’t forget, he is by your side. You may not be able to see him physically, but he is always with you…..FOREVER! Again, I am so sorry for your loss. We will all miss him at the parades and other functions in the county. He is a great man and will never be forgotten!!!
Russell and Lori Apana says:
December 16, 2016
Dear Stephanie our thoughts and prayers are with you and the whole Olson clan. We cherish our memories of fun, good times and laughter over the years. A true fellow cowboy we will truly miss, Aloha to you braddha Rane.