As received from the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home. If you have questions about, or potential corrections to the content, please contact the funeral home directly.
Kenneth “KO” Olsen, 58, a resident of Calumet, passed away peacefully at his home with family by his side on Thursday, July 10, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born in Calumet on January 2, 1967 to Jerry and Delores “DeDe” (Mauno) Olsen.
He attended the Calumet schools with the class of 1985.
On August 11, 2001, he married Terri Kalcich at the Apostolic Lutheran Church in Laurium.
KO was a very hard worker, starting his career at 10 years old delivering the Milwaukee Journal. From there, he worked at Jim’s Pizza for 17 years while also working at Meals on Wheels and Calumet Floral. After that, he worked at D&N/Republic Bank for several years until their final merger. At that point, he worked for Somero Enterprises and then Swift Hardware. In 2014, he became the USPS Keweenaw County Highway Contract Mailman, a job he loved.
While working, KO also played the bass guitar in many local bands, including The Country Rockers, False Alarm, Miners in the Attic, Rockabillies, KK Korral, The Edge, Sounds of Time, Country Connection, Ron Lahti & Friends, Over the Hill Gang, Backlash, Dave & the Variations, Jack & the Hammers, and The Wingnuts, along with filling in anywhere he was asked or needed. He was known as “the hardest working bass player around” and he loved music, following in his dad’s footsteps.
KO had a big heart and was willing to help anyone and everyone who needed him. He loved getting the family and friends together at home or at the camp that he built with his wife, Terri. He had a great sense of humor and was good at making people laugh. He had a special place in his heart for his granddaughter, Madison, his “little peanut brittle”.
He was preceded in death by his father, Jerry Olsen, brother-in-law, Randy Thyrion, and many members of his “musical family”. They are all waiting to greet him in Heaven.
KO is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Terri Olsen; daughter, Synthia Fontaine; granddaughter, Madison Yunker & his 4-legged little boy, Buddy; mother, DeDe Olsen; sisters, Debbie (Kim) Wiitala; Brenda Olsen (Joe); Lisa Tracey; brother, Kevin Olsen; several nieces & nephews, which he held close to his heart, as well as numerous cousins and countless friends.
KO was well-known & well-loved by many and will be greatly missed in the community.
A funeral service for Kenneth will take place on Monday, July 14, 2025 at 12:00pm at the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet with Pastor Larry Molloy officiating. Visitation will take place from 10:00am-12:00pm at the funeral home. Following the service, Kenneth will be laid to rest at Waasa Cemetery in Hancock Township.
The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com
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