Donald Milton Olson

Donald M. Olson, age 92 of Garretson, SD passed peacefully September 11, 2026, at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD, surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be 11:00 am Thursday, September 17, 2026 at the First Lutheran Church in Sherman, SD with Vicar Sue Hodne officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery South rural Sherman.

A time of visitation will be prior to the funeral in Sherman, from 9:00 am to time of service at 11:00.

Memorials are preferred to South Highland Cemetery or First Lutheran Church of Sherman, SD.

A life-long farmer and member of the Garretson community, Donald Milton Olson was a dandy of a man with a great sense of humor.

Donald Milton Olson was born November 29, 1933, on a farm near Sherman, SD to Melvin and Ellen (Andersen) Olson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith at First Lutheran Church of Sherman. He graduated from Garretson High school in 1951. Don answered the call to serve and joined the Army in 1954 where he was stationed in Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1956. He truly enjoyed being on the Honor Flight to Washington, DC with his son, Dean in 2022. Watching the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown soldier stood out as a key memory.

He married Mildred Hegge on February 5, 1955, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, the start of 71 wonderful years of marriage.

Respected for his faith, commitment to family and service to others, Don spent many years teaching Sunday School, serving on Church Council and singing in the choir. He demonstrated his commitment to agriculture by serving on the ASCS board, the elevator board and supporting the Garretson FFA to name just a few.

Don and Mildred were always up for an adventure and pulling a few pranks. Fishing trips to Canada, cruises to Alaska and through the Panama Canal; trips to Niagara Falls, New York, Washington DC, South Padre Island, California, Banff, Canada, and Reynosa, Mexico were just a few of the memories they made. They also loved ballroom dancing in Luverne and square dancing with a group from Pipestone. A special memory with dear friends was trick or treating disguised as couch potatoes. None of their neighbors could identify them! In their retirement years they enjoyed 20 plus winters at Trophy Gardens in Alamo, Texas.

He enjoyed bowling and spent countless hours working and bowling at the Garretson Lanes bowling alley. He also enjoyed tractor pulling competitions - bringing home numerous trophies.

He was a staunch supporter of his children and grandchildren coaching youth baseball, working on the football chain gang and combining corn picked off the ground by FFA members. Don and Mildred thought nothing of driving many hours to attend an event or activity for their kids and grandkids.

Don was especially happy spending time at the lake with his son’s family. Riding jet skis and encouraging his grandkids in games and other activities.

Don passed peacefully Sept. 11, 2026, at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls surrounded by his family. The family is grateful to his grandson Todd Whitaker for the special care provided in the last few weeks of his life.

Grateful for the years they shared, Don is survived by his wife of 71 years, Mildred, his children Donna (Carl) Schaefer, Peggy Whitaker, Dean (Cindy) Olson, Nancy (Matt) Krull, 13 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, son, David, son-in-law Archie Whitaker and grandson, Anthony Wigton as well as numerous brothers- and sisters-in-law.