Jay LaVern Ohlsen

Jay LaVern Ohlsen passed away August 5, 2026 in Venice, FL, surrounded by his wife and family.

He was born to Walter (Vern) and Marcella Ohlsen on August 27, 1936 in Worthington, MN. After graduating from Worthington High School and Worthington Junior College, he served in the National Guard. He went on to get his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from California College of Podiatric Medicine in San Francisco, CA. He married his high school sweetheart Joyce (Benson) on November 26, 1960. He started his own podiatry practice in St. Cloud, MN, and moved the practice to Marshall, MN in December 1963. He built a family, and served the Marshall community for 39 years before retiring in 2002, later moving with his wife to sunny Venice, FL and joining the golf community at Pelican Pointe.

He was a member of the Masonic Order, a president of the MN Podiatry Association, served on the State Board of Podiatry, and a president of the Rotary Club of Marshall. He was a golf aficionado and played whenever he could, swinging a club until he was 89. He and his wife were avid travelers - including Colombia, the Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Mexico, Ireland, Switzerland, and throughout the United States. So much so that he could advise others on the major highways and routes to get from state to state. Jay made many longtime friends over the years and he relished spending time with them. Jay’s passions included hunting outings with friends and family, aviation (taking after his father who was a pilot), his red 1971 MG that he faithfully maintained and showed at car shows, fixing anything that needed fixing (or tweaking), and engaging discussions (as a high school debater, point and counterpoint was his love language).

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Joyce; his children, Mark Ohlsen (Ruthann), Susan Castillo (Arcel), Doug Ohlsen (Judy); and grandchildren Jillian Olson (Jared), Evan Ohlsen (Madison), Mia Ohlsen, Brandon Castillo, and Alexander Castillo. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Diane Ushinski (Stanley) and grandson Quinn Ohlsen.

A memorial service will be held August 29 at 11:00am at Farley Funeral Home in Venice, FL, followed by a celebration of life reception at Pelican Pointe Country Club. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Jay’s name to your local PBS station.