Craig J. Olson

Craig James Olson, of Rapid River, MI, passed away Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at the age of 65. Craig was born the son of Jim and Elaine (Buckland) Olson on April 3, 1957 in Escanaba, Michigan. He graduated from Gladstone High School, class of 1975. Craig worked for Delta County for 30 years before moving to Illinois where he worked for Medical Associates until he retired in April of 2022 and moved home. He and his wife, Debbie of 35 years, enjoyed their time in Illinois where they made many new friendships, but his heart longed to return home to the U.P.

Craig enjoyed hunting pheasants, ducks, deer and treasured his elk trips in Colorado. Craig loved horses and endurance riding. He and his wife, Debbie, traveled the country with the children on many horse races through the years while the kids were growing up. In 1990, he won the Race of Champions on his favorite horse, Sarta. His love for horses and family even took him oversees and all over the world.

Craig could fix, build, MacGyver, and operate just about anything. But his greatest talent was his willingness to drop anything and everything he was doing to help someone else. His own projects were never more important than someone else’s. He set the greatest example for how to love people through action. He loved his family above all and will be missed greatly.

He is survived by his father, Jim Olson of Gladstone; wife, Debbie Olson of Rapid River; siblings, Patti (Dennis) Mattonen of Gladstone, and Cory (Leigh Ellen) Olson of Divide, CO; children, Jeremy of Appleton, WI, Heidi of Marshfield, WI, James (Brandy) of Rapid River, Jonas (Beth) of Escanaba, Julie of Zavalla, TX, and Billy of Escanaba; 9 grandchildren; one great-grandson; and several nieces and nephews.

His mother, Elaine, preceded him in death.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday, November 21, 2022 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Escanaba. Funeral services celebrating the life of Craig will follow at 4:30 p.m., Monday, at The Salvation Army in Escanaba with Captain Doug and Captain Kim Winters officiating. A luncheon will be served at the conclusion of the services in The Salvation Army reception hall. Burial will take place in the Gardens of Rest Cemetery. 

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