Dan E. Olson, born September 28, 1928, in Belle Fourche, SD, to Olaf and Elizabeth (Haivala) Olson, passed away May 28, 2022.

Dan was raised with his three brothers on the family homestead south of Buffalo, SD, and attended the Buffalo School. He spent most of his summers herding sheep and living in a sheep wagon. His only companions were the sheep, his horse, and his dog. After graduating in 1947, he attended a trade school in Fargo, ND, for mechanics. Soon after returning from Fargo, he married Frances Bell in 1950.  They started their married life in Rapid City where he worked for Northwest Engineering as a mechanic and a welder. Several years later they moved to the Ranch at Hoover where they raised their four children: Craig, Scott, Joan, and Clay. Dan's first order of business was to get a livestock loan for his first bunch of sheep--he always said that the sheep are what made the ranch. Dan supplemented their income in the beginning by selling Forney Welders and shearing sheep with the Buffalo crew for several years. In his later years, Dan was still known to shear an occasional sheep. Usually, it was to show the new man on the crew how it was done.

Although arthritis began to slow him down over the years, he continued to climb up on a swather to do what he loved best—haying—something he did until he was 92 years old! His last summer was spent hauling water instead! He was never one to sit for long. One of his favorite pastimes off the ranch was playing cards and visiting at the Hoover store with neighbors and friends. He also loved riding his motorcycle, especially during the poker run with neighbor, Jack.

Clay and Molly came out to the Ranch in 1988 after Dan's heart attack.  He felt fortunate having his two grandchildren, Blayne and Cady, living close by. Grandpa was well known for having one or both of them come to help with a "quick job." Usually, though, they would show back up 3-4 hours later with smiles on their faces and more than one funny story to tell.  Joan was the mainstay on the Ranch, always there to assist him with the day-to-day chores. In Dan's later years she was there looking after him and cooking him meals. Although his sons, Craig and Scott moved away, he looked forward to their visits and phone calls.

Dan is survived by his daughter, Joan; and son, Clay (Molly) both of Hoover; son, Scott of AZ; grandchildren, Blayne (Kelsey) of Sioux Falls, SD, Cady of Brookings, SD, Cheryl Ann of Bridgewater, MA, and Genevieve of Albuquerque, NM; 9 great grandchildren; 1 great-great grandson; and his brother, Tom Olson of Rapid City. He is also survived by numerous nephews, and nieces.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Olaf and Elizabeth Olson; wife, Frances; son, Craig; granddaughter, Devon; and brothers, Howard, and Paul.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis, SD. Interment will follow at Hoover cemetery.

A memorial has been established to the Castle Rock Fire Department.

Click on the link to view service folder