Jamie Donald Olson
Jamie Donald Olson, 28, died Sept. 11, 2004.
He was born on April 5, 1976, to Sandy Tufto and Larry Olson in Edina, Minnesota. Jamie spent his early years in Chaska and Two Harbors, Minn. He lived with his mother and stepfather, Brad Tufto, in Bloomington, Minn.; Laramie, Wyo.; Nome and Juneau. He graduated from Juneau-Douglas High School in 1994, worked in Juneau for a while and then attended the Art Institute of Seattle.
He was an extremely creative person, always working on art projects. He also enjoyed snowboarding, skateboarding, fixing cars, interior decorating and landscaping. He loved to work in coffee shops and became certified as a barista so he could laugh and socialize with people, his favorite thing to do. His family said he got great joy from just "hanging out" with his friends and family and never missed a family gathering. "We will always remember the smile he had for everyone, his heart of gold, his big shoulder to cry on and a belly laugh that would warm the soul. He loved his friends and family deeply, and he will be sadly missed by all."
In 2001, he married the love of his life, Leslie. They lived in Juneau; Bellingham, Wash; Duluth and Bloomington, Minn.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Audrey Ellestad, Kenny Olson and Edmund Tufto.
He is survived by his wife, Leslie, and daughter, Greta, of Juneau; mother, Sandy Tufto; stepfather, Brad Tufto of Colbert, Wash.; father, Larry Olson of Little Rock, Ark.; sister, Denali Tufto of Colbert, Wash.; brother, Andrew Tufto of Belleville, Ill.; grandparents, Bert and Harriet Keller of Two Harbors, Minn., and Mary Tufto of Ozark, Mo.; nephew, Andrew Jr.; aunts, uncles and cousins that spread across the nation.
Services were held Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2004, at the Alaskan Memorial Park in Juneau. In lieu of flowers, there is a trust fund for Greta's college education. Contributions may be sent to: Tufto, 21214 N. Myrtle Road, Colbert, WA 99005, or to Leslie Becker-Olson, 600 St. Anne's St., No. 3, Douglas, AK 99824.