Bjarne Carl Olsen's Obituary
Bjarne Carl Olsen 1913 -2012Beloved husband and father, Bjarne Carl Olsen, of Honolulu, HI, died surrounded by his loving family July 23. Born in Seattle, WA, May 14, 1913 to Alfhild and Charles Olsen, he graduated from University of Washington with a degree in architecture. He worked in Seattle and moved to Juneau in 1939 where he met his first wife, Harriet Shaffer while skiing. Bjarne became a partner with Foss and Olsen, which became Olsen and Sands, Architects, now Jensen, Yorba Lott, Inc. Many of their hospitals, schools, and other buildings exist throughout remote and urban Alaska, including Bartlett Hospital, U of A labs for first time study of Musk Oxen, and the Alaska State Building. Bjarne also served as Vice President and Director of Alaska Ellis Airlines. During the 50s and 60s, he was appointed by Governor Egan to the Alaska State Planning Commission, the State Board of Engineers and Architects, and to the first Alaska State Council on the Arts. He also served on the Juneau Platting Board and was an A.I.A. member. Bjarne was a gifted artist known for his stylized wood block prints that were displayed in museums and private collections. He was an avid reader who loved to relax by chopping wood, polishing his quiet sense of humor, and hiking. He sometimes sported a burn from climbing Mt. Roberts while Juneau remained cloud covered. Bjarne retired to Honolulu in 1968 where Harriet died. He later married Betty Kaler and continued to pursue his art interests. He is survived by his wife, Betty Olsen, children, Karen Poe (Kansas), Richard Olsen (San Francisco), Heidi Olsen (Seattle), and sister, Thelma Yates (Seattle), grandsons, Eric, (Kansas), Jason (Honolulu), Theo (San Francisco), plus 3 great-granddaughters. He also leaves step-son, Glenn Kaler and 5 step-grandchildren of CA.He will be missed immensely. This photo of Bjarne was taken only two months ago on May 26, 2012.
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