Reverend Allan Paul Olson

Reverend A. Paul Olson, 82, of Prior Lake, MN, went home to be with his Lord on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Hennepin County Medical Center, in Minneapolis, MN after a recent fall.

A celebration of life will be held in honor of Rev. Olson on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 11 am, with a gathering one hour prior, all at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake. Jimmi Langemo will preside. Rev. Olson will be laid to rest at Arlington Public Cemetery in Arlington, MN.

Memorials are preferred and will be distributed by the family in memory of Rev. Olson.

Rev. Olson was born on November 12, 1942 to Norman and Gwendolyn Olson. One of four children, he grew up in Litchfield before attending Theological Seminary in Kansas, Missouri. On June 28, 1969, Paul and Sheila Olson were united in marriage in Arlington, MN. Together, they were blessed with one son, Eric.

The first church Rev. Olson served was the United Methodist Church in Arlington, MN. The second church he served was Holy Trinity United Methodist Church in 1972. He was especially proud of how the church grew and had two Sunday services. One service during the summer months was held at the Yacht Club Island, where families could come on their boats to attend services. He loved working with the youth group and led multiple backpacking trips to Europe, staying in hostels and exposing students to new cultures and life experiences. Another accomplishment in which he had great pride was the Thanksgiving services where the churches in Prior Lake (St. Michael Catholic Church, Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran and Holy Trinity) united for pre-Thanksgiving services. He formed the Minnesota Valley Community Church, a non-denominational church, which started out in the bank basement of Wells Fargo and later Prior Lake State Bank until a new church was built for the congregation. And later, he formed Christ Community Church which was also a non-denominational and served there until his recent illness. Outside of leading his congregations, Rev. Olson found other ways to serve his community, including driving school bus for 10 years.

Rev. Olson was a beloved pastor for over 56 years, touching countless lives not only through his positive sermons but through his unwavering support. His commitment to faith, service, and people will be remembered by many. His decades of ministry have left a deep and lasting imprint on Prior Lake, one that will be cherished for years to come.

Reverend Paul Olson is survived by his loving wife, Sheila; his son, Eric Olson; sisters, Margaret Shipp and Barbara (John) Elam; and brother-in-law, John Ellis. He is also lovingly remembered by his nieces and nephews: Betheny (Russ) Wyandt, Derek (Tracey) Anderson, Sharissa Elam, Johnny (Lisa) Elam, Matt (Steph) Shipp, and Joshua Shipp, along with many other cherished family members and dear friends.

He is reunited in heaven with his beloved parents, Norman and Gwendolyn Olson, and his sister, Norma Jeanne Ellis.