Kenneth Olsson

With a heavy heart and fond memories, we announce the passing of Kenneth J. Olsson, affectionately known as Kenny J or Bird, on May 18, 2024. Born on September 15, 1958, in Lakeview, Michigan, Ken was a loving, funny, ambitious, and generous man whose zest for life was contagious. He had the ability to light up any room with his humor and warmth. His passion for building hot rods and his excellent carpentry skills were known far and wide. He was not just a man who built houses, he built a home full of love and laughter for his family and friends. Ken was an accomplished construction worker and home builder, spending much of his career at Lakes Building Company in Canadian Lakes, MI. In 2003, he retired from his position but not from his love for building. He then opened his own tire shop in Stanwood, a testament to his ambitious spirit. His love for constructing things extended to his hobbies. From building hot rods to doing carpentry work, his hands were rarely still. As the saying goes, "The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary," and Ken truly embodied this sentiment. Ken's love story with his wife, Melody Olsson, began on June 30, 2001. Together, they created a beautiful life in Blanchard, Michigan, filled with joy, love, and warmth. Ken's family was the center of his universe. He was a proud father and grandfather, leaving behind a legacy of love and laughter for his children and grandchildren to cherish. Ken is survived by his wife Melody, his children Stephanie (Ricky) McCluskey, Crystal (Jaycon) Mallory, Jodi Snyder, Mandy Root, Brad Engstrom, Andrew Olsson, Crista Olsson, and Gracie Olsson, and his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ken was the beloved brother of Randy (Rhonda) Olsson, Don Olsson, Ron (Bambi) Olsson, Mark (Peggy) Olsson, and Judy (Jon) Brickman. He is preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Judith Olsson. Ken's love for his family was immeasurable, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him. His life was a testament to the power of love, the value of family, and the joy of laughter. We encourage those who knew Ken to share their memories and upload photos on the memorial page. In this way, we can all continue to celebrate the remarkable life of this unforgettable man. As we remember Ken, let us take comfort in the words of Dr. Seuss, "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." A celebration of life for Ken will be held at 3:00PM on Father's Day (June 16th) at the Hinton Township Hall, located at the intersection of 90th Ave & 3 Mile Rd. To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Kenneth's online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.com Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Christiansen’s Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Greenville, 616-754-5638. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Kenneth Olsson, please visit our flower store.