1929
Wallace
2017
Wallace Olson
July 5, 1929 — May 26, 2017
Wallace Conrad Olson passed away Friday, May 26, 2017 at Mercy Regional Hospital in Durango, CO. He was 87 years old.
Wally was born on July 5, 1929, in Halstad, Minnesota, to William and Ethel Olson. He grew up on the family farm in Halstad with his 3 sisters, Bunny, Dodee and Margie.
He married Elizabeth Ann (Betty) Scott, the love of his life, on Nov 8, 1952. They always told the story of how they met ‘tipping outhouses’ with friends. Wally took over the family farm as a young newlywed. They had 3 children, Terry, Dana and Matthew.
They lived on the farm for the next 27 years, raising wheat, grains and sugar beets. Wally was named Norman County Farmer of the Year. He was active on the Halstad school board and they attended the Halstad Lutheran Church. They built a riding arena and often hosted horse riding events at the farm. They also enjoyed snowmobiling, motorcycling and dancing to country music.
In 1979 they sold the farm in Halstad and moved to Sturgis, SD. He owned a ranch in Newell, SD and raised cattle and alfalfa along with his son Terry. They continued to enjoy life with friendly neighbors and continued relationships with Minnesota friends. He retired from farming in 1995, and spent his time with woodworking and general putting around, often on his John Deere mower.
His wife Betty started suffering from a series of health problems, and in 2013, they sold the home in Sturgis and moved to Durango, CO where they could be near their daughter, Dana, and grandson Joe. Betty died in Durango in 2015, after 62 years of marriage. Wally and his dog Cody then moved in to Sunshine Gardens Assisted Living home in Durango. He enjoyed the exercise classes and weekly poker games there and of course, he and his dog were a couple of popular guys at the home.
Wally loved farming. He worked hard at everything that he did. He would take on any task that he felt needed to be done to make things better. He loved John Deere Tractors. He loved lefse and anything Norwegian. He was a sweet, kind man, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and loved by all with his cute smile and personality.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, his son, Matthew, and his granddaughter, Ana.
He is survived by his children Terry Olson of Sheridan, WY, and Dana Wilson of Durango, CO; sisters Bunny Wang, Dodee Ackerman, and Margie Yates; 8 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren; and his constant companion, his dog Cody.
Internment of ashes will be at the Augustana Lutheran Church, Halstad, MN, on Aug 19, at 11:00 am. We invite family and friends to join us for a celebration of his life at the gravesite, followed by lunch in the church.
Memorial contributions can be made to: Augustana Lutheran Church, Cemetery Fund, 1319 270th Ave, Halstad, MN 56548.
Wally was born on July 5, 1929, in Halstad, Minnesota, to William and Ethel Olson. He grew up on the family farm in Halstad with his 3 sisters, Bunny, Dodee and Margie.
He married Elizabeth Ann (Betty) Scott, the love of his life, on Nov 8, 1952. They always told the story of how they met ‘tipping outhouses’ with friends. Wally took over the family farm as a young newlywed. They had 3 children, Terry, Dana and Matthew.
They lived on the farm for the next 27 years, raising wheat, grains and sugar beets. Wally was named Norman County Farmer of the Year. He was active on the Halstad school board and they attended the Halstad Lutheran Church. They built a riding arena and often hosted horse riding events at the farm. They also enjoyed snowmobiling, motorcycling and dancing to country music.
In 1979 they sold the farm in Halstad and moved to Sturgis, SD. He owned a ranch in Newell, SD and raised cattle and alfalfa along with his son Terry. They continued to enjoy life with friendly neighbors and continued relationships with Minnesota friends. He retired from farming in 1995, and spent his time with woodworking and general putting around, often on his John Deere mower.
His wife Betty started suffering from a series of health problems, and in 2013, they sold the home in Sturgis and moved to Durango, CO where they could be near their daughter, Dana, and grandson Joe. Betty died in Durango in 2015, after 62 years of marriage. Wally and his dog Cody then moved in to Sunshine Gardens Assisted Living home in Durango. He enjoyed the exercise classes and weekly poker games there and of course, he and his dog were a couple of popular guys at the home.
Wally loved farming. He worked hard at everything that he did. He would take on any task that he felt needed to be done to make things better. He loved John Deere Tractors. He loved lefse and anything Norwegian. He was a sweet, kind man, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and loved by all with his cute smile and personality.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, his son, Matthew, and his granddaughter, Ana.
He is survived by his children Terry Olson of Sheridan, WY, and Dana Wilson of Durango, CO; sisters Bunny Wang, Dodee Ackerman, and Margie Yates; 8 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren; and his constant companion, his dog Cody.
Internment of ashes will be at the Augustana Lutheran Church, Halstad, MN, on Aug 19, at 11:00 am. We invite family and friends to join us for a celebration of his life at the gravesite, followed by lunch in the church.
Memorial contributions can be made to: Augustana Lutheran Church, Cemetery Fund, 1319 270th Ave, Halstad, MN 56548.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Wallace Olson, please visit our flower store.
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