Obituaries 07/03/25

Seth Olson, 40 

Seth Aaron Olson

1985 – 2025

Seth passed away on May 18 in his home in Portland, Oregon. Seth’s passing was unexpected, though we understand that he passed of natural causes in his sleep. The weeks before his death were filled with joyful and meaningful connection with those around him, as he took time to celebrate his 40th birthday. Time with Seth was always precious - he had a larger-than-life personality that he used to make people laugh, while also sharing in his deep and thoughtful presence.

Seth was born in Monticello, MN, on May 7, 1985, to Lyman “Ole” and Martha Olson, who lovingly raised Seth, the youngest of four children. Seth grew up in Buffalo, MN, where he spent hours with his siblings playing in the backyard and taking walks with his dad in the neighborhood and local nature centers. He enjoyed swimming in the lake and playing hockey at Sturges Park with his friends. He attended Buffalo High School before studying music at Concordia College and, ultimately, getting his bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Portland State University. While at Concordia College, Seth played tuba in the orchestra and spent many hours in the practice rooms playing piano. Playing piano was incredibly therapeutic and fulfilling to Seth. It was during his time at Concordia that he realized he wanted to learn how to tune and care for pianos. Over years of study and practice, and with some courage and determination, Seth had his own successful piano tuning business. 

For Seth, piano was more than a career- it was a lens through which he understood and connected with life. Each piano was its own living, breathing entity, and he treated them all as a beloved and important friend. Every person and piano who Seth touched was forever enriched by his presence, his depth, and his magic. In his final months, Seth had begun to understand his relationship with piano as a quest to connect with his late father and was incredibly proud of the life he had created through this connection. 

Seth met Nikki at Concordia College, and they were married for 20 years. Seth and Nikki built their life together in the Pacific Northwest, raised two silly giant dogs, and went on lots of amazing adventures. They proudly created a stable and warm home together. Seth was amazing at caring for their home, from learning how to build and repair things to filling the home with beautiful, lovingly tended plants. They shared a sense of humor and got to spend their life together, both as partners that deeply loved and truly supported each other but also as best friends. Nikki’s parents and siblings were close with Seth. Seth always was available to help them during all of what life would bring and was an incredible brother for 20 years to Landon and Ben.

Seth shared his final two years with his partner, Rayn. Together, they embarked on unforgettable journeys to Costa Rica and Mexico, filled their days with music, explored Portland’s underground performing arts scene, and embraced countless other adventures. Their time together was enriched by deep conversations about emotions, dreams, and the other profound mysteries of existence. Seth was Rayn’s best friend and the love of her life.

Seth will always be remembered for his unbelievable presence. Seth was one of those people who showed genuine curiosity in others. He listened, he paid attention, he was sincere in his interest and availability. He was on a continuous quest of self-betterment and growth. He believed strongly in self-responsibility and accountability. He courageously faced his own inner work. He had a strong sense of justice, deep convictions, and engagement with his inner world. Seth also had an incredible sense of humor. He was goofy, playful, and good at not taking himself, or life, too seriously. He could tell you what he thought of every pizza place in the Portland area, and the location of every Dairy Queen. He was an expert in enjoying life’s simple pleasures and a walk with Seth always brought tender observations of everything around him. 

Seth was preceded in death by his parents; and is survived by his brother, Eric Olson and family; sister, Karen (Olson), and brother-in-law, Tim Zvorak and family; and brother, Isaac, and sister-in-law, Jen Olson. 

He will be deeply missed by his partner, Rayn McMahon; and best friend, Matt McCallum. Seth forever changed the life of his wife, Nikki Olson; brother, Landon Jenkinson, and sister-in-law, Gemma Baumer and family; and brother, Ben Jenkinson, and Xolchilt Sanchez; mother-in-law (“love”), Laurie Jenkinson; father-in-law, Jim and Pam Jenkinson; and step-brothers-in-law, Kyle and Danny Grebisz and families.

An open house Celebration of Life will be on Monday, July 14, from 4-7 p.m. at Bison Creek Event Center in Buffalo, MN (1207 Hwy. 25 N). Donations to the Dougy Center in Portland, OR, can be made in Seth’s name to help continue his legacy of feeling, care and support.