Svenn A. Sollid, 83
Published 6:42 am Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Svenn A. Sollid, 83 of Austin, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 13, 2019, at St. Mark’s Nursing Home Memory Care.
Svenn A. Sollid, 83
He was born and grew up in the small copper mining town of Sulitjelma, Norway, north of the Arctic Circle. As a young boy, he survived the German occupation of Norway during World War II by escaping to Sweden for a year with his family.
After returning to Norway, Svenn enjoyed spending his free time competitive ski jumping and playing soccer. As a young man, he completed his higher education and his military service in the Norwegian Air Force.
In the early 1960s, Svenn immigrated to the U.S. and became a citizen while living in Minnesota. He studied and received certification as a chemical dependency counselor with a degree in alcohol studies, thus beginning his lifelong career of working in the treatment field helping fellow alcoholics and drug addicts in their recovery. He worked in treatment facilities in Minnesota, California, Missouri, and Kansas for 25 years. He returned to Norway in 1985, where he opened a treatment facility in Larkollen and worked for another 15 years prior to his retirement.
Svenn and Kathy moved back to the U.S. in 2001, settling into their Austin home. Svenn brought many laughs to the residents of Austin during his seven years working at Hy-Vee post-retirement, with “Sven and Ole” jokes always at the ready. He always had the brightest smile and a mischievous twinkle in his eye. He will be deeply missed in the lives of those he touched.
Svenn was preceded in death by his parents, Konrad and Julia Sollid of Norway; brother, Kåre Sollid of Norway; and sister, Ruth (Ejeven) Sollid of Norway. Svenn is survived by his wife, Kathy Sollid of Austin; their daughter, Katie Sollid of Owatonna, Minnesota; his daughter, Ruth (Ron) Johnson of Edina, Minnesota; his son, Jon Sollid of Negaunee, Michigan; granddaughters, Stacey (Sam Wright) Johnson, Jillian Sollid and Olive Sollid; special four-legged girls, Bella and Zoe; and many nieces and nephews living in Norway.
All are welcome to join the family for a celebration of life for Svenn at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 18, 2019, at First Congregational Church, 1910 Third Ave NW, Austin, MN 55912. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church. A fellowship luncheon will follow the service.
