Richard Olson

Richard "Dick" D. Olson, age 67, of Miltona, died Sunday, April 22, 2012, at his home, surrounded by his family, following a brief illness.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 27, 2012, at Faith Lutheran Church in Miltona with Rev. Kari van Wakeren officiating. Music will be provided by organist, Kevin Lee and vocalist, Kim Byrne. Burial will take place at Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria.

Visitation will be 5-8 p.m., Thursday at Lind Family Funeral Home in Miltona and continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Richard Dennis was born November 1, 1944, to William and Patricia (Cameron) Olson in Webster, South Dakota. He was baptized April 8, 1945, in Pierpont and confirmed November 1, 1959, at Sinai Lutheran Church. He grew up in Sinai, South Dakota where he attended public school and graduated from Brookings High School in 1962. He attended Nettleton School of Business in Sioux Falls, and following his education, began working with his father in the grain elevator business, specializing in merchandising. He was united in marriage to Diana K. Hettman on January 23, 1965, at Glasgow, Montana. Following their marriage they lived in various locations in the Upper Midwest. He continued working in the grain industry with Benson-Quinn Commodities, Inc., later becoming A.D.M. Benson-Quinn, until his retirement in 2008. He built their home on Lake Irene in 1986, and has enjoyed living there full-time from 1992 until the time of his death. He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church and was Lake Irene Association President for many years. He enjoyed golfing and fishing when he had the time. Dick will fondly be remembered as "Mr. Clean" for his fastidious need to keep his vehicles spotless.

Richard is survived by his wife of 47 years, Diana; father, William Stanford Olson of Sinai, South Dakota; son, Jeffery (Kelly) Olson of St. Louis Park; brother, William Olson of Grove City; four sisters, Kathleen (Merle) Hedland of Naperville, Illinois, Cheryl (Anton) Kavoda of Mandan, North Dakota, Kimberly Haarsager of Fargo, North Dakota and Patricia (Lance) Larson of Casselton, North Dakota; three grandchildren, Sophia, Samuel and Oliver.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Patricia Jane; son, Richard, Jr., and brother, Steven Olson.

Pallbearers will be Rich Mueller, Kenneth Tostenson, Al Mashek, Gary Anderson, Ron Dinga and Ron Mitzel. Honorary pallbearers will be Benson-Quinn Traveling Roadmen.

Memorials may be directed to Douglas County Hospice or Faith Lutheran Church.

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