Donald Olson

Age 95 of Prior Lake, passed August 5, 2026.

 

Don was preceded in death by his parents (Arvil and Inga Olson of Heartland, MN), one sister (Deloris Berger of Las Vegas), and one brother (Jerry Olson of Rochester, MN).

 

Survived by wife, Ruby (Kelm) Olson of Prior Lake, MN;

5 children - Elizabeth (Beth) [Bob] Crawford, David A. [Joanne] Olson, Margaret (Meg) [Randy] Ruckdashel, Kathleen (Kathy) [Walter] Aldrich, and Jane Olson;

12 grandchildren (Robert [Brandy] Crawford, Joseph [Monica] Crawford, Michelle Olson, Michael Olson, Melissa Olson, Brandon [Janina] Ruckdashel, Steven [Kerry] Ruckdashel, Rebecca [Dale] Ruckdashel, Grant Aldrich, Cole [Britt] Aldrich, Amanda [Joe] Heitzman, Sandra (Sandy) [Jonathan] Benz; and 21 great grandchildren.

 

Don was born August 22, 1930 in Albert Lea, MN.

 

He graduated from New Richland High School in 1948 where he sang tenor in the school choir and played some sports, especially basketball.

 

Don served in the MN National Guard and US Air Force from 1947 to 1952.

 

Don and Ruby married on December 26th, 1952 (73 years ago) and started their family.

 

He opened a TV repair shop, but that only lasted a couple of years. He had a few other jobs that had them moving numerous times. He taught at the vo-tech in Wilmar which then led to his career at Control Data. During those years, Don sang in the church choir, bowled on a few leagues, taught bowling to youngsters, and was proud of the fact that he played doubles tennis into his 80s.

 

In retirement, Don and Ruby sold their Bloomington home to their daughter Kathy. They then spent seven years living and traveling in Arizona and then Texas, as well as visiting family around the country. They began square dancing and Don matched his ties to Ruby's skirts. They spent summers camp-hosting in MN to be close to family.

 

Don suffered a bout of Valley-Fever which ended their traveling. A new era of his life was ushered in. He became an avid fan of his grandchildren and later great-grandchildren's sporting events. He took over the cooking and began trying new recipes. If you knew Don, you KNOW none of those recipes included chicken or onions! His early love of computers never left him. He was constantly learning new things, and began a passion for genealogy.

 

Don wasn't big on words, but showed his love for his family by taking pride in all of their accomplishments. Oh, and did he ever mention that they were married for 73 years?!

 

We will celebrate Don's life on Friday Aug 14, 2026 at Washburn-McReavy Dawn Valley Chapel and Memorial Park, 9940 Bush Lake Rd, Bloomington, MN 55438.

 

Visitation at 10:00 am, Memorial Service at 11:00 am, Reception/Lunch at 12:00 pm. Burial to follow.