Clayton H. Olson

Clayton H. Olson, age 89, of Little Falls, MN, passed away on Monday, January 23, 2017 at St. Ottos Care Center in Little Falls, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 AM on Friday, January 27 at St. Marys Catholic Church in Little Falls, with Father Joseph Herzing officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 PM on Thursday, January 26 and from 10:00-11:00 AM on Friday all at Emblom Brenny Funeral Service in Little Falls. The military rites will be conducted by the Little Falls American Legion Post #46.

Clayton Harleth Olson was born on June 30, 1927 in Swanville, Minnesota the son of Carl G. Hulda (Peterson) Olson. He grew up in Swanville where he attended a one room school house and graduated from Swanville High School, Class of 1944. Following his schooling, he joined the Air Corp service for 18 months. After his time in the Air Corp, he sailed the Great Lakes with the Merchant Marines for six seasons. Upon his return to Little Falls he applied for a position with the Little Falls Police Department and began his career in law enforcement. Clayton served as the Chief of Police in Little Falls for over 28 years. He retired in 1986. On June 8, 1957, Clayton was united in marriage to Betty Girtz at St. Josephs Catholic Church in Pierz. The couple made their home in Little Falls and were blessed with five children; Melanie, Michelle, Maura, Mark, and Michael. Betty died in 1972, and on November 4, 1972, Clayton was united in marriage to Eileen Ploof at St. Marys Catholic Church in Little Falls. He was honored to become the father figure to Eileens children, Jim, John, and Mary. Clayton enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and woodworking. He was a member of St. Marys Catholic Church in Little Falls, the Little Falls American Legion, Post #46 and served on the Little Falls City Council for 12 years. Claytons family fondly remembers his adoring love of Eileen his wife, unconditional care of his large family, his humble integrity, honesty, commonsense, his approach to life and his huge warm smile that drew you into his heart.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Eileen of Little Falls; children, Melanie (Brian) Gaffke of Sauk Rapids, Michelle (Steve) Backowksi of Little Falls, Maura Olson of Nashua, Mark Olson of Little Falls, and Michael (Michelle) Olson of Little Falls, Jim (Carolyn) Ploof of Sauk Centre, and Mary Gaffke of Little Falls; daughter-in-law, Patti Ploof of Little Falls; 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.



Clayton was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty Girtz; son, John Ploof, and a sister, Elaine Mueller.



Memorials are preferred to the Little Falls Police Department youth bike program.