[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 116 (Thursday, July 11, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E906]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                              SHERM OLSRUD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 11, 2019

  Mr. WALDEN. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize and commend Mr. 
Sherm Olsrud for his extensive community service and philanthropy 
efforts in Rogue Valley and the rest of the southern Oregon region over 
the last 40 years. Sherm passed away in May at the age of 95, survived 
by his wife, Wanda, and their children. Today, I'd like to pay tribute 
to Sherm's service to our nation and his commitment and generosity to 
Oregonians in need.
  Sherm's sense of duty and service began early in life when he left 
North Dakota to serve as a United States Marine in the South Pacific 
during World War II. Following the war, Sherm settled in Eugene, Oregon 
and met his wife-to-be, Wanda, while working in his Uncle's restaurant. 
They immediately fell in love and were happily married in February 
1947.
  Over the next decade, the couple's love and ambition would bring them 
great success. Sherm used his GI Bill benefits to train as a meat 
cutting apprentice and in 1958 he and Wanda would buy Wilson's Sausage 
Kitchen establishing their first family business in Eugene. After 
several years of building their small business they opened Eugene's 
first all-day market in a new 10,000 square foot grocery store named 
Sherm's 24 Hour Market.
  With the resourcefulness, adaptability, and integrity of a United 
States Marine he kept Sherm's running successfully for nearly ten more 
years before selling the business in order to expand his business 
throughout the southern Oregon. Sherm and Wanda built a family store 
chain purchasing the old Thunderbird Market in Medford in 1967, the 
Mayfair Market in Klamath Falls in 1974, the Bazaar department store in 
Medford in 1977, the Food 4 Less franchise in 1985, and Food World in 
Roseburg in 2000. They often worked more than 12 hours every day of the 
week to maintain their vision while employing more than 600 people. 
Sherm would also say ``the customer is still the boss, always has been 
and always will be because the customer has a lot of options.''
  Although his business accomplishments demonstrate a record of 
success, none of it would have been possible without the distinguished 
character and value system of the man himself. Sherm believed in 
sharing the fruits of his success with those less fortunate in the 
community by supporting programs to help them get back on their feet. 
For instance, every year Sherm and Wanda donated nearly 50,000 pounds 
of food and toiletry items to the Jackson County ACCESS community 
assistance program.
  Sherm has also supported fun educational programs for local children 
and young adults. Sherm and Wanda generously donated to local programs 
like Future Farmers of America, 4H Club, and Kids Unlimited, as well 
maintaining Bear Creek Park, building a $20,000 fence for McLoughlin 
Middle School, and covering ticket costs for all children twelve and 
under for the Jackson County Fair. Even upon receiving a share of a 
winning Powerball ticket he sold, he quickly donated the funds to two 
local elementary schools. Well known as a sports enthusiast, Sherm was 
able to bring the Portland Trail Blazers to Kids Unlimited to play ball 
with the children.
  Additionally, Sherm always believed that pursuing higher education is 
foundational for the well-being and success of communities. Sherm would 
say, ``As time goes by, our society demands educated people. Our 
country needs educated people.'' Therefore, he and Wanda established a 
series of scholarship funds to promote education and help students in 
financial need. These include The Sherm and Wanda Olsrud Scholarship 
Fund and The Olsrud 4H and FFA Scholarship Fund that offer renewable 
$5,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors, as well as the 
Sherm & Wanda Olsrud Endowed Scholarship that offers up to $5,000 to 
students attending Southern Oregon University.
  Over his long life, Sherm has demonstrated integrity, duty, and true 
generosity in every community in which he lived. Sherm's business 
acumen and benevolence are well known across most of the southern 
Oregon region including Douglas, Lane, Josephine, Jackson, and Klamath 
counties for the past 40 years and his legacy will continue for many 
years into the future. In fact, the Olsrud family has opened Sherm's 
memorial service to the broader public due to widespread interest in 
celebrating Sherm's accomplishments and philanthropy.
  I ask my colleagues to join me today in thanking Sherm for his many 
years of service and generosity throughout southern Oregon, and I give 
my condolences to Wanda, and the Olsrud family.

                          ____________________