Harlan L. Olson
91
Thursday, May 21
Chancellor
Harlan Lee Olson was born on Sept. 15, 1928, near Parker to Harvey and Grace (Getman) Olson, the family name was changed from Hielgeson to Olson when his grandparents immigrated from Norway. He grew up seven miles north of Parker until 1941 when his family moved to the current family farm north of Chancellor. After attending country school at Spring Valley District #6 and District #3, where all five of his children attended, he went on to Parker High School. From 1950-1951 he was activated from the National Guard to full-time duty during the Korean War. After employment with John Morrell and Ivan Hagen Excavating, he took over the family farm when his father retired.
On June 6, 1954, he was united in marriage to Evelyn Wollman at Parker. He lost Evelyn to cancer in 1984. With his knowledge and passion for excavating, he started Olson Excavating as a side business.
On Oct. 25, 1991, he was united in marriage to Delphine (Koerner) Kurtz and they built a new home in 1993 at Country Acres where they enjoyed entertaining family and friends.
His faith in Jesus Christ was the center of his life. In the spring of 1975, he committed his life to Jesus at a lay witness weekend at the United Methodist Church in Parker. He was instrumental in starting Celebrate Church of Sioux Falls in 1999, having been a charter member. Throughout the years he served on many church committees and boards. He lived his faith by helping others.
Harlan was active in his community, having served on the boards for Home Township, Parker School District, Chancellor Bank, FHA and the Country Acres Road District. He also was a longtime member of the Chancellor American Legion Post 283.
He was a man of diverse interests he enjoyed a variety of activities. They included the following: hunting and fishing with his sons, birthday celebrations, annual Olson campouts, vacationing to see family and friends. He enjoyed the “The Four Best Days of Summer” otherwise known as the Turner County Fair, watching Twins and Vikings games, playing pinochle, the MS 150 Mile Bike Tours. Harlan especially loved ballroom dancing plus square and round dancing.
Grateful for sharing his life with him are his wife Delphine (Koerner Kurtz) of 28 years; five children, Sherrie (Quentin) Strand, Gillette, Wyo.; Darrell (Loey) Olson, Chancellor; Keith Olson, Sioux Falls; Barry (Darla) Olson, Chancellor; and Kristie (Tim) Fiegen of Sioux Falls, two step-children, Kim (Bill) Chatwell, Sioux Falls; Jeff (Susie) Kurtz, Canton; 21 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren, his sister Anita Otten, Sioux Falls; his brother Dale Olson; sister-in-law Jean Stadtfelt; mother-in-law Leona (Streyle) Koerner, sister-in-law Dorothea Hoebelheinrich, brother-in-laws Delano (Erlene) Koerner, Darrell (Carol) Koerner, Darwin Koerner (Sherry) and a host (37) of loving nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents Harvey and Grace, his wife Evelyn (Wollman) Olson, his brother Lavaine Olson, his brother-in-law Dennis Otten, his sister-in-law Betty Olson, and Harlan’s in-laws Mary and John Wollman, Elgin and Melba Wollman, Anna (Wollman) and Emil Hofer, Harris and Kay Wollman, John and Dawn Wollman and Wilmer Koerner, Richard Hoebelheinrich and Duayne Koerner.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 7 at Central Baptist Church, Sioux Falls.
A private family service with military honors was held at Rosehill Cemetery, Parker.
Memorial services, where all friends and family are invited, are tentatively planned for 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, July at Central Baptist Church, Sioux Falls.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may have checks written to the Olson Family Faith Fund or be sent to the South Dakota Community Foundation at PO Box 296, Pierre, SD 57501 where the fund will be established
Arrangements provided by Hofmeister Jones Funeral Home.