Dean Olson

Dean Lewis Olson, 74, of Maple Grove, MN (formerly of Bismarck, ND and Moorhead, MN) died Sunday Feb. 2, 2020, at his home.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 21, 2020 at First Lutheran Church, Mandan, with Rev. Christina Martin officiating.  Burial will be at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.

Dean was born the son of Edward and Edna (Rundgren) Olson on May 31, 1945 in Moorhead, MN.  He attended Moorhead area schools and began working at an early age at a local grocery store, in which he became manager.  He married the love of his life, Sandra (Jerabek), on February 25, 1967 at First Lutheran Church in Mandan, ND.  Dean enlisted in the US Navy and he and Sandra lived some of their early years in California where Dean was initially stationed.  Dean served his active duty time aboard the USS Kretchmer (DER-329) in 1968-1969 and was honorably discharged on Dec 18, 1969.  Dean and his wife moved back home and started a family in West Fargo, ND, where he began a career in telecommunications working for US West.  Dean and Sandra moved to Bismarck in 1977 when Dean took a promotion.  They lived in Bismarck for 17 years until 1994 when they moved to Maple Grove where he lived until his passing.  Dean retired from US West (Qwest) after over 35 years of service.  He spent his retirement traveling with the love of his life, Sandra, and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren who he cherished most of all.  Dean was active in several veteran groups, enjoyed playing cards with friends, and tinkering on his never-ending list of projects or gadgets.  Everywhere Dean lived he made life-long friends and took pride in his ‘small-town’ demeanor even though he lived in the city.

Dean is survived by his brother, Daryl (Ann) Olson; son, Craig (Jody) Olson; daughter, Kristin (Mat) Hausladen; grandchildren, Heather (Max) Bowers, Joeseph Johnsrud, Christina (Travis) Brown, Hunter Alinder, Chance Alinder, and Brock Meyer; and great-granddaughters, Grace Brown and Laura Bowers.

Dean was preceded in death by his wife; parents; sister, Sharlene; and brother, Dale.

Arrangements with Buehler-Larson Funeral and Cremation Service, Mandan.

Memorials are preferred to the ND Veterans Cemetery Foundation ( www.ndvcf.org ).