Daniel Ray Olson, 50, Sturgis, died unexpectedly at the Rapid City Regional Hospital on Friday, December 20, 2013, following a major cardiovascular event.

Memorial Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 28, 2013, at the First United Methodist Church with Pastor John Williamson officiating.

Dan was born February 28, 1963, in Chamberlain, S.D. to James R. and Donna L. (Surat) Olson. He has lived in Sturgis since he was a teenager and graduated from Brown High School in 1981. While in high school, he worked for Morris Hallock, owner of the local newspaper.

After high school, he joined the S.D. Army National Guard and became a helicopter pilot. He was a member of the 109th Engineer Battalion and the 1085th Medical Air Ambulance Company. When he left the Guard, he went to work again in the printing presses for another twenty years. After an accident involving the use of his right arm, he made a life change and attended Black Hills State University. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science.

On August 25, 2006, he married his best friend, Jody Phillips. He was blessed with two children, Tyler and Amanda. He was a very loving and supportive dad. Spending time with his family was the most important part of his life; from dancing in the living room with Jody to tinkering on mechanical projects with Tyler and golfing with Amanda.

He looked forward to the Olson family gatherings whether it was a wedding, graduation, birthday party or reunion. You could always count on a competitive cribbage game. Dan never lost a game, but if he did, it was because "you cheated"!

Dan was well known at the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally when he owned the famous Shrimp Stand in the Pyramid Beer Garden. During the fourteen years, he and his "devoted" family and friends skewered shrimp, pepper, shrimp, pepper, shrimp, pepper, shrimp, and grilled them with his secret bohunk-a-bob sauce. Dan acquired the title of "Lieutenant Dan" and it became his Sturgis Rally name. Years later, Dan then became famous driving for Da Bus during the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Again, lovingly known as "Lieutenant Dan" by the bus patrons, he managed to not only drive, but change the CD, sell a beer and smoke a cigarette through a hundred thousand bikers but also reassured the passengers that his music was not too loud!

Dan was currently working for the Western Transportation and the School Bus Company. His responsibilities were numerous. One was to drive charter tours across the United States. The elderly women were smitten by his charm and smile. Tips were good! Another favorite was to drive the kids to the Special Olympics. Not only did he drive, but also stepped in when the kids needed him. For example, during a race around the track, one of the kid's wheelchair power went out, so Dan came running from the stands and pushed him through the finish line. The smiles on both of them were priceless.

Dan is survived by his loving wife, Jody; son, Tyler (Sheridan) Larive; daughter, Amanda Larive; parents, Jim and Donna Olson; brothers and sisters, David (Deb) Olson, Connie(Craig) Denman, Russ (Melissa) Olson, Carla (Bill) Texel, and Kelly(Sherri) Olson; several nieces and nephews, Ryan, Kolbi, Troy, Teri, Travis, Damion, Dustin, James, Sam, Charly, Keely, Brenna and Emma, along with great nephews and nieces.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Joseph and Eleanore Surat, and Harold and Myrtle Hodgin.

A memorial will be established at the Boulder Canyon Country Club in honor of Dan's passion for golf.

Dan, soar with the angels and flail on! We love you!

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