Don Olson

    Donald “Don” M. Olson died Dec. 14, 2018. He was born to Nellie M. and Martinus Olson at the Phillips County Hospital in Holyoke on Nov. 12, 1924.
    He grew up on the Martinus Olson farm 3 miles northwest of Amherst. As a young boy, he became involved with the farming operation. At the age of 8, he drove a Rumley Model 2024 tractor; he had to stand up to steer it. Don drove many other tractors, combines and farm equipment.
    He also helped milk cows and raise chickens, turkeys, hogs and beef cattle. As a younger, but bigger, brother to his sister Evelyn, he enjoyed playing tricks. There was more than once where he would carry her around the house until she agreed to do his chores.
    Don attended school in Amherst from first grade through his sophomore year. He attended Phillips County High School in Holyoke for his junior and senior years and graduated in 1942. In the fall of 1942, Don entered Colorado A&M, now known as Colorado State University, as an engineering student.
    His time as a college student was limited when he was drafted into the United States Navy. Don received basic training in Farragut, Idaho, followed by radar training in Honolulu, Hawaii. He boarded the USS Moale DD693, a destroyer, on May 22, 1945, and served in the Pacific for the duration of World War II. Following honorable discharge from the Navy, Don joined his parents in the farming operation.
    Don met Betty Rose Anderson in Telluride in 1949 while on a fishing trip. They were married on Nov. 4, 1950, and created a home on the Don Olson farm 3 miles north of Holyoke. To this union were born four daughters: Debra, Sandra, Marsha and Patricia. All four daughters were actively involved in the farm work, learning to operate equipment and care for livestock.
    Within the Holyoke community, Don served on the ASC Committee, volunteered with FFA and was a board member of Holyoke Volunteer Fire Department. He was also a lifetime member of the VFW and served as commander of Post 6482. In his retirement, Don enjoyed traveling with Betty to all 50 states and Europe. They attended Navy ship reunions on many of those trips.
    His other hobbies included fishing, hunting, finding perfect recipes in cookbooks and attending farm auctions. He was an avid collector of antique tractors, iron tractor wheels, tools, signs, fishing poles and many other items that caught his eye. Don was a phenomenal storyteller. He always knew specific details and could recall many things to share with others.
    Don was preceded in death by his parents, Nellie and Martinus Olson, and his wife, Betty Rose (Anderson) Olson.
    He is survived by his older sister, Evelyn Ward; four daughters, Debbie Olson, Sandy and Jerry Gallagher, Marsha and Tim Evans, and Pattie and Georgann OlsonHelmuth; grandchildren, Jackie and Tyler Fischer, Scott and Traci Crowder, Alison and Eric Law, and Tanner Evans; great-grandsons, Malcolm and Cullen Crowder; and many loving relatives and friends.
    Memorial services were held Dec. 18 at Baucke Mortuary in Holyoke, with interment at Holyoke Cemetery.
    In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to: Museum of Danish America, 2212 Washington St., Elk Horn, IA 51531; Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517, or a charity of the donor’s choice, c/o Baucke Funeral Services, 1220 SW. Interocean Dr., Holyoke, CO 80734.
    Baucke Funeral Home directed the service.