James Elliott Olson

James Elliott Olson passed away on October 7, 2024, at the age of 81. Jim was the Senior Pastor of Faith Church in Fort Collins for 21 years. He is preceded in death by his wife Carol Frances Strohm Olson. He was born on January 6, 1943, to Milford and Mildred Olson in Milaca, Minnesota. The small hospital was behind the very church where he would become the pastor 25 years later.

Jim's family moved to Polk, NE and then Chicago where his father pastored Evangelical Free Churches. To pay for school, Jim worked at the Wisconsin steel on the south side of Chicago. Jim felt called to be a pastor at an early age, so he attended bible school in Chicago where he met Carol. They served together in the youth ministry at his father's church. Jim and Carol were married in 1964 and then he attended seminary at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS). Joy was born during this time. He later received a Doctorate of Ministry (1992) from TEDS where he graduated in the same ceremony as his daughter Joy.

Jim's first church was in Milaca, MN where he preached Sunday morning and evening, Wednesday night, and ran the youth group. He was a big homerun hitter on the church softball team. Thea was born during these years. Jim then served at Montview Evangelical Free Church in Aurora, CO and later pastored Crystal EFC in New Hope, MN. In 1985, he became the Senior Pastor at Faith until he retired in 2006.

Jim is survived by his two daughters, Joy Fea (husband Dr. John Fea) and Thea Jensen (husband Dr. Brad Jensen). He has four grandchildren: Emily Jensen Feilmeier (husband Austin Feilmeier), James Jensen, Allyson Fea Warners (husband Emmett Warners) and Caroline Fea. He has one great-granddaughter Adelaide Feilmeier. Jim has three siblings, sister Marilyn Stranberg and brothers Eugene and Dan.

Jim enjoyed birding and was often found walking on the bike path near his home pointing out Burrowing Owls or Cedar Waxwings. He loved to give his photo cards with words of encouragement or scripture verses.

Jim loved Jesus and the great passion of his life was sharing the gospel in sermons and with individuals. Thousands of people gave their lives to Jesus because Jim showed them the way of salvation.

The refrain from one of his favorite hymns, "It Will Be Worth it All" highlights how he chose to live his life in light of eternity:
It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

The memorial service will be held Friday, October 25, 2024 at 11am Faith Church, Fort Collins, CO.
Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Church, Fort Collins to the Beyond Fund.