S. L. "Bud" Olsen, 89, Greeley, CO, formerly of Minot and longtime Minot Chamber of Commerce Executive Director died on November 1, 2013 in a Greeley memory care and assisted living facility.

Shirley Leo Olsen was born on December 4, 1923 in Roseglen, ND to Clarence and Hulda (Krueger) Olsen. He was the second of five children. Bud started helping his parent's in their general store in Roseglen when he was a young child. He graduated from Ryder High School and continued his education at North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton where he studied aeronautical engineering for 1 years.

During World War II he served in the Marine Corps for 3 years as a radio operator and was stationed in the South Pacific. Following his honorable discharge he enrolled at Minot State College and earned his degree in business administration with minors in math and education.

Bud married Lillian Wentz on June 23, 1948 in Minot. They made their home in Minot where they owned and operated Parkway Grocery in Minot for five years. After selling the store, Bud became the city assessor. In 1959, he became the manager of the Minot Chamber of Commerce. During his 31 years with the Chamber he eventually became executive vice president. He was very pro business and worked with many business and community leaders in Minot. He also had a good working relationship with officials from Minot Air Force Base, state of North Dakota and Canada. He worked on many projects that affected both the Minot area and North Dakota. He retired in September of 1990 after 31 years. Lillian died on November 10, 2008. Bud had continued to reside in Minot until he moved to the Meadow View Assisted Living Center in Greeley CO in 2010. The family would like to thank all the staff of Meadow View and Accentcare for their loving care and concern given to Bud and his family.

Bud especially enjoyed spending time with his three daughters and son. They made their home at 105 26th Street S.W. for more than 50 years. He was a charter member and advocate of the Minot Retriever Club and enjoyed training and working with his Labrador retrievers. He traveled extensively in Canada and the neighboring states judging field trials for other retriever clubs. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.

Bud is survived by his loving children: Karen (Jerel) Wood of Johnstown, CO, Denise (David) Thorson of Rozet, WY, Sandra (Charles) Matson of North Platte, NE and Clark (Debra) Olsen of Anchorage, AK; nine grandchildren: Jessica (Charles) Lang, Nicole (Jeremy) Jones, Heidi Thorson, Frank and Jarad Matson, Mariah, Andrea, Clark and Gretchen Olsen; 5 great grandchildren: Janea Lang, Adam and Elijah Jones, Tatiana and Aleena Matson; sister: Virginia Logan of Cupertino CA and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Bud was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years Lillian, sisters: Marcella Hall and Clarice Olsen and brother: Wallace Olsen.

Celebration of the Life of Bud Olsen: Saturday, November 9, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Thomas Family Funeral Home.
Interment with military honors will be at Rosehill Memorial Park - Minot.
Visitation: Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Kalix or Accentcare of Windsor, CO.