David Olson, age 91, of Hendricks, MN passed away on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at Avera Mckennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral service will be held at 2pm on Wednesday, October 9th at Faith Lutheran Brethren Church in Hendricks, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at the Hansonville Cemetery, rural Hendricks, MN. Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel of Hendricks, MN is entrusted with the arrangements.
David Donnell Olson was born on October 31, 1932 to Ambrose and Hazel (Dorn) Olson in Hansonville Township, Minnesota. He attended District 28 Country School until the family moved to a farm near Astoria, South Dakota. David graduated from Astoria High School in 1950. He served in the United States Army where he fought for his country for two years during the Korean War. After his service, David continued his education at Texas Christian University, Gustavus Adolphus and South Dakota State University where he graduated with a degree in Microbiology. David began his employment at Hormel in Austin, MN, as a bacteriologist, for several years. He also worked for South Dakota State University in the Dairy Unit, Sterling Technology and the Toronto Farmers Cooperative. David’s love of animals started at a young age. He was in 4-H where he showed cattle and also helped on the family farm with all of the animals. David’s passion for raising Herefords started in his youth and continued throughout his lifetime. He remembered every bull he purchased and knew the qualities of every animal he raised including the ones that are on the pasture waiting for him yet today. If you ever had a chance to sit down with David, you would immediately feel the warmth of his quick wit, wonderful smile and knowledge of history. He loved the chance to visit with people and share his views of the world. Whatever he said usually made you laugh, but always made you smile. David loved his family and friends and exemplified hard work and dedication. His nearly 92 years of caring for those around him and especially his animals is a testimony of a life well lived. His quiet faith and extensive knowledge of God’s Word were an integral part of his growth as a born-again believer in Jesus Christ. He was a gentleman to his family in all ways and was especially tender hearted to his nieces and nephew.
David is lovingly remembered by his sister, Beatta Sagmoe, Hendricks, MN; sister-in- law, Brenda Olson, Sioux Falls, SD; nephew, Kevin (Lori) Olson; nieces, Kimberly (Mark) Baker, Sherri (Gary) Johnson, Heidi (Darren) Swenson, Jodi Sagmoe, Dawn (Ryan) Ritter, Dana (Brad) Zimmerman, Holly (Rich) Brue and their families; along with numerous cousins and friends. He will also be remembered by the many friends over the years that he spent treasured time with while having coffee. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ambrose and Hazel Olson; brothers, Daniel (Midge) Olson, Stephen Olson; infant sister, Yolanda Olson; brother-in-law, Deane Sagmoe; and niece Melissa Sagmoe.