Otto Verner Olsen, age 75, died Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at Wendover Hospice. Born in Copenhagen, Denmark on August 23, 1940, he was the son of the late Gunner Werner and Veronica Pollock Olsen. Otto was an active member of Ascension Lutheran Church where he served on the council, and sang in the choir. He served in the Danish Army and was formerly president of the Danish American Club in Miami. He was a soccer referee for 32 years and baseball coach in Miami. Otto enjoyed working for 20 years at the Collection in Miami, and more recently at the Shelby Walmart DC for 10 years. In addition to his parents, Otto is preceded in death by three brothers and a granddaughter, Alyssa Olsen.

Otto is survived by his wife of 42 years, Marjorie Pearson Olsen; two sons, Kenneth Olsen and wife Teresa of Shelby and Glenn Olsen and wife Amalia of Miami Fl.; a daughter, Earlene Johnson of Homestead, Fl.; a step-son, Mark Kent and wife Linda of Alabama; and four grandchildren, Laura Guraedy and husband Jason, Kathryn Olsen, Kristen Olsen and Christina Johnson and two great-grandchildren T. Rose Johnson and Haley Johnson.

Memorial services will be at 11 am on Friday, September 25, 2015 at Ascension Lutheran Church with Rev. Christina Auch officiating. The family will receive friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Ascension Lutheran Church at 300 N. Lafayette St. Shelby, NC 28150.

Cecil M Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Olsen.

Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com