BOWMAN, NORTH DAKOTA -- The Olson family will be going home to Bowman, North Dakota.  Rev. Ron Olson, wife Michelle and daughter Maija were in car accident on December 19, 2013.  After months of medical care the three will be transported home to Bowman, North Dakota.

The Olson family will make the journey from St. Paul, Minnesota to Bowman, North Dakota on Monday, March 10, 2014.  Friends from Bowman, North Dakota are transporting the family to the personage in Bowman.

Ron had open-heart surgery to replace an aortic valve tear. He also had a fractured right femur, tibia, and fibula, along with multiple rib fractures. 

Michelle suffered multiple rib fractures, lung contusions, bruises from heat to toe, a hematoma on her chest, a left tibia fracture and a broken wrist.

Ten-year-old Maijai had surgery on her abdomen to repair a perforated bowel.  She also had surgery to repair a fracture in her spine that is compressing the spinal cord. 

Donations have been sent to the Dakotas Conference Office from churches and individuals.  The Bismarck Area Ministry Team recently held a fundraiser for the Olson family, resulting in over $12,000.

The fundraiser was held at Bismarck Legacy United Methodist Church.   Over 200 people gathered from:  Bismarck Calvary, Bismarck McCabe, Bismarck Legacy, Linton, Mandan, McClusky / Goodrich/ Chaseley; Moffit, Nepoleon / Lehr, Steele / Tuttle / Robinson, Underwood, and Washburn / center / Turtle Lake United Methodist Churches.

The Olson family joined the event through Skype during a worship service. The evening involved a pancake supper with homemade pies and ice cream. The evening ended with a concert by Clyde Bauman. 

If you would like to follow the progress of the Olson’s recovery go to the Caringbridge page.  www.caringbridge.org.  Type in OlsonFamily3 where it says “Visit Someone”.  

If you would like to donate to the Olson Family Fund contact JoAnn Schlimgen at the Dakotas Conference Office by e-mail or phone 605-996-6552.  You can mail your donation to the Dakotas Conference Office at P.O. Box 460, Mitchell, SD 57301.  Please mark your donation as “Olson Family Fund.”