Svenn Sollid

Svenn A. Sollid, 83 of Austin, MN, passed away peacefully on April 13, 2019 at St. Mark’s Nursing Home Memory Care. He was born and grew up in a small copper mining town in Norway called Sulitjelma, north of the Arctic Circle. As a young boy, he survived the occupation of Norway during WWII 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, MN 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 is preceded in death by his parents, Konrad and Julia Sollid; brother, Ké�re Sollid; and sister, Ruth (Ejeven) Sollid, all of Norway. Svenn is survived by his wife, Kathy Sollid, of Austin; their daughter, Katie Sollid, of Owatonna; his daughter, Ruth (Ron) Johnson, of Edina; his son, Jon Sollid, of Negaunee, MI; granddaughters, Stacey (Sam Wright) Johnson, Jillian Sollid, Olive Sollid; and 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 am on Thursday, April 18, 2019 at the First Congregational Church in Austin. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.

Service Information

Visitation

Thursday, April 18 2019
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

First Congregational Church
1910 3rd Ave. NW
Austin MN

Service

Thursday, April 18 2019
11:00 AM

First Congregational Church
1910 3rd Ave. NW
Austin MN