Don R. Olson

View Funeral Webcast

Don R. Olson, age 91 of Belle Fourche, died Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at his home with his family by his side.

The funeral service will be held 1pm Monday, December 14, 2020 at the United Methodist Church in Belle Fourche.  Visitation will be held 3 to 5 pm Sunday at Leverington Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche.  At 3:30pm there will a casket branding.  Interment will take place in Pine Slope Cemetery.

In leu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

The funeral will be live-streamed on the funeral home’s website, on Don’s obituary page.  Please visit www.LeveringtonFH.com

Donald Randolph Olson was born November 26, 1929 on the Pasco Ranch on Upper Redwater, near Belle Fourche.  He was the son of William and Anna (Helmer) Olson. At the age of 12, Don with his parents and siblings moved to their ranch 5 miles east of Belle Fourche, in 1941.  At a very young age, Don developed a very strong work ethic.  He attended the White School, then he attended Ingersoll School.  He then went into high school in Belle Fourche, through his sophomore year at which time he quit school to stay home at the ranch and work, when his brothers were drafted into the service.  Don met the love of his life Alice “Aly” Schopen and they had their first official date on Valentine’s Day in 1950.   Don and Alice were married August 10, 1952 in Lead.  They enjoyed 54 years of marriage together, before losing Alice in 2007.  Don was blessed with three wonderful children: Curt, Sharon, and Bill.

Don was County Commissioner for his dad after he passed away.  He was Butte County Highway Superintendent for 11 years, retiring December 31, 1994.  He also worked at St. Onge Livestock.  He was a 4-H Leader, and a member of the Belle Fourche Moose Lodge.  He was a cowboy at heart who loved the outdoors, the livestock, and all that was to offer in the life of a rancher.  He was a good man, a kind man, and loved by everyone who knew him.  He was a wonderful father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend.  And he will be missed greatly.

Don is survived by daughter, Sharon (Dennis) Freed of Belle Fourche; sons, Curt (Robin) of St. Onge, Bill (Michela) of Belle Fourche; 5 grandchildren, Brent Olson of St. Onge, Ryan Olson of St. Onge, Brandon (Cassandra) Freed of Belle Fourche, Brandy (Tyler) Escott of Volborg MT, Tricia Olson of Belle Fourche; great grandchildren, Lucas Olson, Atty Olson, Remi Olson, McKenna Freed, Isabelle Freed, Tabitha Escott, Brooke Escott, Thad Escott, and Boe Escott.  He is also survived by his sister, Alice “Oley” Trygstad of LaFayette CA; 3 sisters-in-law, Ann Olson, Dorothy Olson, Irene Olson; and several nieces and nephews. 

Don was preceded in death by his parents; wife Alice in 2007; and brothers, Bob, Ted, and Dick Olson.

Celebration of Life

1:00 P.M. – Monday – December 14, 2020

United Methodist Church

Belle Fourche, South Dakota

Officiant ~ Pastor Sheri Fadley

Tribute ~Scott Reder

Music

Processional Hymn – “The Old Rugged Cross”

Lucy Cole, pianist

“A Father’s Love” (Recorded)

“Come to Jesus”

Debra Leverington, soloist

“Grandpa” (Recorded)

Honorary Casketbearers

Boe Escott                                                      Tabitha Escott

Brooke Escott                                                        Atty Olson

Thad Escott                                                         Lucas Olson

Isabelle Freed                                                       Remi Olson

McKenna Freed                                                    Tricia Olson

Active Casketbearers

Brandy Escott                                             Cassandra Freed

Tyler Escott                                                       Brent Olson

Brandon Freed                                                  Ryan Olson

Interment

Pine Slope Cemetery

Belle Fourche, South Dakota

To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Don R. Olson, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.