Rueben Sanford "Nick" Olson , 79, longtime Minot Educator & Coach, died Friday, October 26, 2007 in a Minot Hospital surrounded by his family.

Nick was born July 7, 1928 at McGregor, North Dakota, the son of R.B. and Evva (Barden) Olson. He moved with his family to Noonan, ND in 1931 and later to Minot in 1934. He attended Minot Public School and enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 18. He served with the Army's Military Police unit during the occupation of Japan.

Nick was honorably discharged, and returned to North Dakota, where he graduated from Minot State College in 1953 with a B.S. Degree in Education. While in college, he was a member of Mu Sigma Tau Fraternity and the Letterman's Club. He was also a member of the Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Society and was medalist at the Conference Golf Tournament in 1952, when the Beavers won the team championship.

From 1953 to 1955, Nick was a classroom teacher and coached track and basketball at Velva High School. For the next thirty-two years, he was employed by the Minot Public School System as a teacher, coach and guidance counselor. Nick served as head basketball coach at Minot High from 1967-1973. Prior to that, he served as an assistant to Art Hovde for eleven years. The Magicians won three state championships during that period in 1961, 1965 and 1971. Nick was selected as the Class A Basketball Coach of the Year in 1969 and 1971. In 1971, He was also chosen as the ND High School Coach of the Year by the ND Sports Broadcaster's and Reporters.

Nick was united in marriage to MarVonne Strand on December 23, 1950 at Bethany Lutheran Church. He received his Master's Degree from UND in 1965 and had done additional graduate work at UND and NDSU.

Nick was a charter member of the Coaches Association and served on it's Board of Directors for three years. He was also a charter member of the MSU Beaver Booster's, serving one year as President. He was inducted into the Minot High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000. He was chairman of the Minot Elks Scholarship Committee for ten years, and was chosen as the "Elk of the Year" in 1985.

Nick was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot, the Minot American Legion, Minot Country Club and MSU Beaver Boosters. He was a former member of the NDEA and NEA. He was an avid golfer and had been involved in numerous local golf activities throughout the years. He had the honor of recording two holes-in-one and shot his age on a number of occasions. Nick enjoyed organizing many of the annual reunions for the MHS Class of 1946. Nick had served as a Co-host for Charley Pride at the Norsk Hostfest. Charley's stay in Minot always included a day or two with Nick at the golf course. After retiring, Nick and MarVonne had spent many winters at their Arizona home in Sun City West.

His loving family includes: loving wife of 56 years, MarVonne; Son: Scott (Cheryl) Olson, Minot; Daughter: Marci Olson, Bismarck; Granddaughters: Amy and Kari Olson, Minot; Sisters: Doretta Johnson, Santa Cruz, CA , Betty (Henry) Anderson , Minot, Mary Lou (Robert) Esterby, Minot; Sisters in Law: Ardis Olson, Minot and Mary Olson, Minot; Two honorary Grandchildren: Nikki and Kyle Cross, Bismarck

Celebration of Life Service: Wednesday, October 31, 2007 at 11:00a.m. in Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot;
Visitation : At the request of the family, there will be no reviewal, however friends may sign a memorial register on Tuesday from 2:00-7:00pm in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to MSU Beaver Boosters or Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot.