Thorman Olson rescued Lyla B. Stoike from assault, Lyle, Minnesota, May 16, 1986. Mrs. Stoike, 49, had called the nearby residence of Thorman Olson, 74, retired farmer, and, while conversing with Olson’s wife, discovered that a window had been removed from her door. She told Olson’s wife that she feared an intruder was present. A man, who had been hiding in another room, then confronted Mrs. Stoike with a rifle. Olson, informed by his wife of the break-in, went to Mrs. Stoike’s residence to check on her. Despite warnings by Mrs. Stoike, Olson entered the house and struggled with the gunman. He was shot in the foot. Olson gained possession of the rifle, but the gunman then produced a pistol, with which he shot Olson three more times. Mrs. Stoike fled, as did the gunman. Olson was hospitalized for 10 days and underwent surgery; after a short stay at home, he returned to the hospital for additional treatment. He recovered.
61605 – 7095
61605-7095Obituary
Harold Thorman Olson, 90, a retired farmer from Lyle, Minn., died on Feb. 23, 2002, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home in Austin, Minn. He was born in Nevada Township in Mower County, Minn., on June 22, 1911, to Hans and Ostine “Stena” (Enerson) Olson.
Olson received his education in the Nevada Township country school and served in the Army. On March 5, 1945, he married the former Vera Irene Nelson in Hanska, Minn. After he attended agricultural school in Waseca, Minn., he and his wife farmed near Adams, Minn., before buying a farm in Lyle. Following his wife’s death in July 1988, Olson lived at a nursing home in Stacyville, Iowa, and then St. Mark’s.
He was a member of Six Mile Grove Lutheran Church in Lyle and the Lyle American Legion Post 105. He enjoyed traveling, woodworking, fishing, and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
Olson was buried in the Six Mile Grove Lutheran Cemetery, with military honors by the Lyle American Legion.
(Edited from an obituary provided by the family.)