Eugene Robert Olson

Eugene Robert Olson, age 95, of Brandon, formerly of White River, Pickstown and Garretson, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 25, 2020, at Bethany Home in Brandon, SD.

Eugene (Gene) was born December 30, 1924 in White River, SD the fourth child of Butryx and Esther (Johnson) Olson.  Gene graduated from White River High School in 1942 and enrolled in aircraft mechanics training in Kansas City, MO.  He then joined the US Army Air Corps for WWII.  After the military he returned to White River and engaged in ranching and trucking with his brother Russ for a few years.

Gene married Kathleen (Kay) Danker on July 18, 1951.  In 1953 Gene and Kay purchased a grocery store in White River which they operated as Olson Market for 17 years.  After the store was destroyed by a fire in 1971, Gene did construction work and later worked for the Farmers Cooperative Oil Association in White River until retirement in 1990.

While living in White River Gene was an active member of the United Methodist Church and enjoyed singing in the church choir.  He also sang at many funerals as a member of the men’s quartet.  He was a member of American Legion and received his 70 year pin from the Masonic Lodge.  He also served as the mayor of White River.

Gene loved to golf and the decision to move to Pickstown, SD for retirement was probably based on the fact Pickstown had a golf course and White River did not.  Gene and Kay enjoyed their retirement winters camped at Texas golf courses in their 5 ^th wheel camper.  Some of Gene’s relatives also wintered with them and other family members visited.  Gene loved these years and although his golf game was nothing to brag about he could brag about how much he golfed. He continued to golf daily until the age of 90.

Gene and Kay moved to Garretson, SD in 2009 to be closer to their family.  In May of 2016 they moved to Bethany Meadows Assisted Living in Brandon, SD.

Gene is survived by his wife of 68 years, Kay at Bethany Home Brandon, SD; children, Warren of Sioux Falls, SD, Dale of Harrisburg, SD, Barb Olson (Brian Baustian) of Garretson, SD; and grandchildren Kristen (Derek) Wahle of Sioux Falls, SD and Jacob Baustian of Brookings, SD.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Larry Olson, Cliff Olson, George Olson, Russ Olson, and possibly John Olson; and sister Dorothy Miller.

The family wishes to express their gratitude towards Bethany Meadows for their wonderful care.

Burial of cremains in the White River Cemetery will be at a later date due to COVID-19.