“Is everybody happy.”

Larry Olsen yelled out that more than once when he played his concertina with his brother Leon, who was also working his magic on the musical instrument well known in polka circles.

While Larry hails from the Lake Benton area, his brother resided in New Ulm. But the two brothers often got together to share their love for polka.

Leon Olsen died on Oct. 22 after a brief battle with cancer at the age of 72.

When it comes to polka music, Leon Olsen’s resume is extraordinary. He definitely leaves a musical legacy that rates among the great ones.

He recorded more than 250 songs on vinyl, cassette and CD, including at least 19 full-length albums. His recordings span decades of polka, waltz and old-time dance music.

“Leon was my only brother and we shared so many great times together, playing music with each other and with our dad,” Larry told the Independent on Wednesday. “Even though we were 10 years apart, we were close. We played local gigs and festivals, including the Gibbon Ballroom, where the flyers proudly said, ‘The Olsen Brothers are taking over Gibbon. I was with him when he passed, and I’ll always remember those last moments. He was a wonderful musician, a great brother, and I’m going to miss him terribly.”

Not only will Larry miss him, but also all the polka lovers who flocked to festivals and venues to dance to their music.

We know Leon Olsen will be looking down every time Larry plays his concertina in front of a polka audience with a big smile on his face waiting for his brother to yell out “is everybody happy.”