Irving A. Lassen
1897-1973

Irving A. Lassen was born in Chicago, Illinois, on November 5, 1897. He moved to Seattle at an early age and later went to the University of Washington. Moving to Olympia in 1920, he started an electrical business in a basement workshop. In 1929 he opened an "electrical and sport shop" on East Fourth Avenue in partnership with Bill Bergstrom.

Lassen Electric Service, Inc. was established in 1945 and was located at 111 North Columbia Street in Olympia. The commercial and residential electrical contracting firm was quite successful and worked on many projects in the area including the Capital Center Building, the Elk's Lodge Building, the Olympic Brewery and several of our public schools.

"Irv", as he was known to his many friends and associates, was an active member of the National Electrical Contractors Association, Olympia Rotary Club, Olympia Kiwanis Club, Olympia Country and Golf Club, Elks Lodge, and Olympia Orchid Society. His greenhouse full of prize orchids, which he readily shared with friends and family, gave him many hours of pleasure.

He was well known for his generosity in the community, and with the establishment of The Irving A. Lassen Foundation, he has provided a perpetual source of funds to help assist in meeting the human needs of Thurston County.