Obituaries : Darrel Richard Olson

Darrel Olson

Dedicated husband and respected father Darrel Richard Olson died in his Menomonie, Wis., home on March 10, 2011 after a courageous 2 ½ year battle with prostate cancer.

Mr. Olson was born on February 17, 1948, in Vinton, Iowa, to Erick and Vernie Olson. He grew up on a farm until attending Iowa State University for agriculture. Darrel had a very successful career in agriculture, starting at Funks Seeds as a laborer in 1970. He received many awards and promotions and moved up the management ranks in Belle Plaine and Traer, Iowa, and Bloomington, Illinois. In 1987, he branched into the sales division with a move to Menomonie, Wisconsin, where he and his family have lived for the past 24 years.

Darrel married the love of his life, Jodie Janssen, on November 28, 1970. That bond has lasted 40 years and is evidenced by three children. They overcame serious illnesses and a critical car crash, with love and faith. Over the years, Darrel and Jodie found a love for traveling. They voyaged together to all corners of the United States, as well as Mexico, the United Kingdom, and Sweden, where they enjoyed tasting the local cuisine and frequenting the local beaches.

Darrel was a loyal servant of God. He attended church all of his life and took an active role at Christian Life Ministries and Liberty Christian Center in Menomonie. He served as usher and board member throughout his life, and had an unwavering faith and trust in his Lord. One of his favorite verses that brought comfort was Romans 8:11 “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.”

He inherited a fondness of fishing from his father and became an expert angler. Darrel understood that fishing was not only a hobby, but a way to show love, and greatly anticipated embarking on a yearly fishing trip with his sons, son-in-law, and friends to Canada. Being an avid hunter, Darrel also looked forward to trips to the Dakotas during pheasant season, as well as turkey and deer seasons in Wisconsin.

Darrel is survived by his wife of 40 years, Jodie Olson, three children, Beth (Brent) McLeod of Menomonie, Wisconsin, Andrew (Erin) Olson of Vilnius, Lithuania, and Aaron (Rebecca) Olson of Spokane, Washington, as well as 9 grandchildren, Jordan (Kayla) McLeod; Lauren, Madeline, and Briannan McLeod; Avery, Erik, and Annika Olson; Ariella and Marschall Olson. He is also survived by his mother Vernie Olson, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Hilbert and Mary Janssen, brothers-in-law Randy (Catherine) Janssen of Van Horne, Iowa; Rodney (Shannon) Janssen; David (Jennifer) Janssen; Kurt (Carrie) Janssen, all from Vinton, Iowa, as well as sisters-in-law Julie (Scott) Hansen of Vinton; Jackie (Gregg) Koss of Swisher, Iowa; Jeri (Tom) Thompson, and Jeannie Dennis both of Marion, Iowa, in addition to numerous nieces and nephews.

Darrel made their lives more joyful and complete with a personality that filled a room, and a common sense wisdom that guided with charm. Even though he was an only child, Darrel befriended people in a way in which they became his brother or sister. He will be missed always.

A visitation will be at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 15, and at the church one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 16, at Oak Ridge Lutheran Brethren Church, 620 24th Ave. W., Menomonie, WI. All who loved him are welcome. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made at the service.