Christopher David Olinger, a proud veteran of the United States Navy, suffered from the effects of PTSD and passed away unexpectedly on February 13, 2025, at age 58.

He was the son of Dr. John Olinger and Lois Olinger.  He was born November 17, 1966, in St, Cloud, MN.  He graduated from Apollo High School in 1985. Chris enlisted in the Army Reserves upon graduation from high school and in 1987 he joined the United States Navy as a hospital corpsman. He valued his service highly and received a Purple Heart and many other personal awards, retiring as a Senior Chief Petty Officer from the Navy.

After retiring from the Navy, he graduated from Coastal Carolina Community College with an associate degree in nursing.  He received his bachelor's degree in nursing in January of 2025 from Walden University.

Chris is survived by his wife, Darla (Pierskalla) Olinger, and his daughters, Dr. Emily Olinger, Captain in the US Airforce, and Madalyn Olinger RDH.   He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. John Olinger. He is also survived by his mother, Lois Olinger, and siblings, Steven/Anne Olinger, Michael Olinger, Thomas/Max Olinger, Timothy/Brenda Olinger, and his twin sister Susan/Tony (Olinger) Lussenhop. In addition, he is survived by numerous nieces and nephews. He will be remembered as a loving, caring, giving person who would go above and beyond to help people.

A service honoring the life of Christopher David Olinger will be held Friday, February 21, 2025, at St. Paul's Catholic Church in St. Cloud, MN.  Visitation will be from 10 am to 11 am; funeral mass will be at 11 am, followed by lunch.  Inurnment with military honors will occur at 3 pm at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery - Little Falls, MN.  Donations in memory of Chris can be made to any veteran's charity.  Flowers can be delivered to St. Paul's Catholic Church on the day of the funeral.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Marston Pavillion in Camp Lejune on April 3rd at 6:00 PM.