Allen Olson age 98, formerly of Brooten, died Wednesday, December 17, 2014 at the Aicota Health Care Center in Aitkin, Minnesota.  Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, December 22nd at Trinity Lutheran Church in Brooten with Pastor Bryant Kaden officiating.  Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service at the church. Interment will be in Grace West Cemetery in Belgrade.  Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Brooten. Allen Thomas Olson the son of Thomas and Mathilda (Anderson) Olson was born May 12, 1916 in Belgrade, Minnesota.  He grew up in Brooten and graduated from Brooten High School in 1936.  Allen entered the United States Army in February of 1941.  He was stationed in the Alutial Islands for the majority of his service time.  He was honorable discharged in June of 1945.  After returning from the military Allen started working on the Soo Line Railroad as an agent.  He continued to work for the railroad for over 30 years before he retired in April 1978. Allen was united in marriage to Gladys Bentrud on May 7, 1944 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Brooten.  This marriage was blessed with one son, Thomas.  Allen and Gladys made their home in various places while Allen was in the service then lived in Paynesville, Kensington and Hankinson, moving around for Allen's job on the railroad.  After he retired Allen and Gladys moved back to Brooten.  They shared 61 years of marriage before Gladys passed away in April of 2005. Allen was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church for most of his life.  He was a member of the Brooten American Legion for over 50 years.  Allen enjoyed golfing, working in his yard, playing cards and gossiping with his friends.  One of his greatest pleasures in life was spending time with his family and many close friends. Allen is survived by his son, Thomas (Karen) Olson of Aitkin, MN; grandsons, Sam (Sally), Jason and Rick Olson; 5 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Philip (Helen) Bentrud; 14 nieces and nephews and friends. He is preceded in death by his wife, Gladys; parents, Thomas and Mathilda Olson; step-mother, Margaret Olson; sisters, Eppie (Cub) Dokken and Myrtle (Elwood) Nelson; brother and sisters-in-law, Hazelle (Aldrich) Nelson, Bill (Lenora) Bentrud and Carol Bentrud; nieces, Patty Stewart and Nancy Falkner; his close friend, Art Jenson and many dear friends.