Johan Olsen

Johan Olsen (July 3, 1834 – September 11, 1911) was an American pioneer Lutheran minister and church leader. Olsen served as the second president of the Conference of the Norwegian-Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.

Biography

Johan Olsen was born in Helgeland, Norway on July 3, 1834.

Johan Olsen married Rakel Johanna Rodli on August 15, 1858. Together they had eleven children.

In 1870, Olsen became the first vice-president of the Conference of the Norwegian-Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. During this time, Olsen also served as vice-president and trustee of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. In 1883, Olsen became the editor of the Norwegian Lutheran church newspaper, Lutheraneren of Mission-Blaldet.

Olsen died on September 11, 1911, and was buried in the cemetery of First Lutheran Church.