Donald Leroy Olson

About Donald

Donald Leroy Olson, 93, of Bemidji, MN began his journey to heaven in the late evening hours of Thursday, December 7, 2023 at his home surrounded by his family.

Donald was born August 31, 1930 in Roosevelt, MN, the son of Art and Marie Olson. Donald grew upon a farm and attended school in Swift, MN and Warroad, MN. Donald was awarded his General Education Diploma in Warren, MN. He served with the US Army from 1952 and was honorably discharged 1954 after he sustained an injury during Korean War.

Donald continued his education at Hansen’s Mechanical Trade School where he graduated. Donald also went on to get his 4 year degree and his Masters. Donald was a hard working man of many talents.

When Don moved to Bemidji he was working road construction and then bought into Midway Garden and sold snowmobiles and lawn and garden equipment in addition to roofing and snow removal summer and winter. He taught at Bemidji State University for 6 years, did road construction, sold manufactured homes, sold cars, world books, encyclopedias, pick up toppers, and sold woodland homes of Bemidji.

Donald met his loving wife, Joan Signe Abrahamson, in 1960 while working doing road construction in Duluth, MN. Donald and Joan married in 1964 and shared a wonderful life filled with love.

Don was president of Full Gospel Businesses in the early days in Bemidji. He was a member of the Warren Covenant Church and Bemidji Covenant Church and served in leadership positions. Don and his wife were foster parents and adopted several children and a couple of children from South Korea and raised grandchildren as their own.

He is survived by his wife, Joan Olson of Bemidji, children, Becky (Tom) Gregory, Margaret (Alford) Brown, Daniel Olson, Janna Boyd, Zachery (Madi Washington) Olson, and Maddisun (Nolan Cermak) Olson, grandchildren, Laurie Akre, Paul Gregory, Ashley Brown, Delois Brown, Alex Brown, Somi Boyd, Penolope Boyd, great grandchildren, Tremar Settles, Alex Settles, and Aiden Olson, sister, Judith Edgar, brothers, Leonard and Jim, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Art and Marie Olson, sisters, Eileen Ravndalen and Elsie Nelson, brother in laws, Otto Ravndalen and Clair Nelson, Richard Edgar, sister-in-laws, Judy Olson and Jeanette Olson, and grandson, Tremaine Settles.

memorial service

Memorial Services for Donald

December 13, 2023

The Evangelical Covenant Church 5405 Hart Ln NW, Bemidji, MN 56601, USA

Pastor Todd Ertsgaard will be officiating.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Cease Family Funeral Home