Donald Milford Olson

Donald (Don) M. Olson was born to Nellie M. and Martinus Olson in the Phillips County Hospital in

Holyoke, Colorado on November 12, 1924. He grewup on the Martinus Olson farm, three miles northwest of

Amherst. As a young boy, he became involved with the farming operation. At the age of eight, he drove a

Rumley Model 2024 tractor. He had to standup to steer it. Don drove many other tractors, combines and farm

equipment. He also helped milk cows, raise chickens, turkeys, hogs and beef cattle. As a younger, but bigger,

brother to his sister Evelyn, he enjoyed playing tricks. There was more than once where he would carry her

around the house until she agreed to do his chores.

Don attended school in Amherst from first grade through his sophomore year. He attended Phillips

County High School in Holyoke for his junior and senior years and graduated in 1942. In the fall of 1942, Don

entered Colorado A&M Aggies, now known as Colorado State University, as an engineering student.

His time as a college student was limited when he was drafted into the United States Navy. Don

received basic training in Farragut, Idaho followed by radar training in Honolulu, Hawaii. He boarded the USS

Moale DD693, a destroyer, on May 22, 1945 and served in the Pacific for the duration of World War II

Following honorable discharge from the Navy, Don joined his parents in the farming operation. Don

met Betty Rose Anderson in Telluride, Colorado in 1949 while on a fishing trip. They were married on

November 4, 1950, and created a home on the Don Olson farm, three miles north of Holyoke. To this union

was born four daughters: Debra, Sandra, Marsha and Patricia. All four daughters were actively involved in the

farm work; learning to operate equipment and care for livestock.

Within the Holyoke community, Don served on the ASC Committee, volunteered with the FFA, and was

a board member of the Volunteer Fire Department. He was also a lifetime member of the VFW and served as

commander of POST 6482 . In his retirement, Don enjoyed traveling with Betty to all 50 states and Europe.

They attended Navy ship reunions on many of those trips.

His other hobbies included fishing, hunting, finding perfect recipes in cookbooks, and attending farm

auctions. He was an avid collector of antique tractors, iron tractor wheels, tools, signs, fishing poles and many

other items that caught his eye. Don was a phenomenal story teller. He always knew specific details and could

recall many things to share with others.

Don is preceded in death by his parents, Nellie and Martinus Olson and his wife, Betty Rose (Anderson)

Olson. He is survived by his older sister, Evelyn Ward; four daughters, Debbie Olson, Sandy (Jerry) Gallagher,

Marsha (Tim) Evans, and Pattie (Georgann) OlsonHelmuth;

grandchildren, Jackie (Tyler) Fischer, Scott (Traci)

Crowder, Alison (Eric) Law and Tanner Evans; greatgrandsons,

Malcolm and Cullen Crowder, and many

loving relatives and friends.

Don passed away on December 14, 2018. Memorial services were held on Tuesday, December 18,

2018 at the Baucke Mortuary, Holyoke. Interment at the Holyoke Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family

suggests that memorial contributions be made to: Museum of Danish America, 2212 Washington Street, Elk

Horn, IA 51531; Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 666758517,

or a charity of your

choice c/o Baucke Funeral Services, 1220 W. Interocean Dr., Holyoke, CO 80734.

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