Photo by Deb Gau Road signs and sandbags were the party backdrop at a retirement reception on Thursday for Marshall city engineer and public works director Glenn Olson. Marshall Mayor Bob Byrnes, at left, and Olson prepared to give some remarks looking back on Olson’s time with the city.

MARSHALL — “He has made a mark on nearly every part of Marshall,” Mayor Bob Byrnes said of Glenn Olson. Part of that was Olson’s job. He’s served as Marshall city engineer and public works director for almost two decades, and you can get a lot of construction projects done in that time.

But Olson, and speakers at his retirement reception on Thursday, said the connections he’s made with Marshall community members and co-workers have also made a mark.

“It’s a great community,” Olson said of Marshall.

Marshall community members celebrated Olson at a retirement reception on Thursday afternoon.

Olson was hired as city engineer in 2001. Former Marshall city engineer Duane Aden reflected back on Olson’s interview for the job.

“He was definitely the right person,” Aden said, “And he’s been a friend.”

Over the years Olson has worked on expansions at Marshall’s airport, flood protection projects, the reconstruction of Main Street, and development additions for industry and business.

“He’s done that (work) creatively,” Byrnes said. “I always use the example of the Minnesota pond.” When the city needed to build a retention pond for drainage near the Red Baron Arena and Expo, the design Olson presented was shaped like the state of Minnesota.

Olson liked to “stir the pot” at staff meetings, city staff said — but he had a focus on doing what was good for the city.

“Glenn had a talent for looking at things through a different lens,” said current public works director Jason Anderson. Olson was also “One of the most important mentors for me in my career,” Anderson said.

Olson was named City Engineer of the Year by the City Engineers Association of Minnesota in 2007. In recent months, he has served as the city’s representative on the renovation of City Hall.

Olson has also had an active role in the Marshall community, speakers said. He’s active at First Lutheran Church, a member of the Marshall Noon Rotary Club, and a member of the STAR Motorcycle Club. Lona Rae Konold, administrative assistant for Marshall Public Works, said faith, family and hard work were the pillars of Olson’s life.

“You’ve been a great boss, and you’ve been a great friend,” she told Olson.

Olson said he was feeling “kind of both ways,” about coming to the end of a 19-year career with the city. “I hate leaving, and it’s time to go,” he said. Olson said he was happy to see many old friends at the reception, and he has plans to spend time with family and go camping with his grandchildren this summer.

In some prepared remarks he shared with community members, Olson said faith has played a daily role in his life. He said he’s seen Christ’s plan at work in his life, through family, community members, and his work.

“May you all be blessed as much as I have,” he told the audience.