Gerald Olson, 90, of Wildrose, ND passed away on Thursday, January 4, 2024 at the Bethel Lutheran Nursing & Rehabilitation Home in Williston, ND.

Gerald was born July 16, 1933 to Harris and Julia (Moe) Olson in Wildrose. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Grace Lutheran Church in Wildrose. He attended grade school in Williston for three years and later graduated from Wildrose High School in 1951. That year he was a member of the State Class C Basketball Championship Team. Gerald took general ag courses at NDSU in Fargo for 1 ½ years from the fall of 1951 until December 1953.

Gerald was drafted into the United States Army on March 24, 1954 doing his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He served two years in the Army with a 16-month tour of duty in Korea with the 11th Engineer Battalion of the 8th Army. Gerald was raised to the rank of E-5 (Spec 2) Sergeant. He was honorably discharged on January 9, 1956 and joined the American Legion Post #110 in Wildrose as a color guard member.

On February 26, 1956 he was united in marriage to Marian Kvilhaug at Grace Lutheran Church in Wildrose. They established their home on the family farm in Big Meadow Township. To them were born six children.

In 1959, he was chosen outstanding young farmer and won the Williams County Soil Conservation award in 1958 and again in 1990. Gerald served on the church council, a member of the Wildrose Public School Board, clerk of Big Meadow Township, Williams County FHA Board, Farmers Union Board of Directors, Williams County Crop Improvement Board, as well as a 4-H member and leader. Gerald received the ND Agricultural Award at Fargo in 1991. He belonged to the ND Angus Association, raising and showing Angus cattle, and to the ND Stockman’s Association for over 50 years. He served on the Bethel Lutheran Home Board for six years and was president of the Wildrose Cemetery Association for several years.

Gerald was a dedicated farmer, who worked very hard on his family farmstead raising cattle, planting and harvesting crops. In 1984, Rob joined him in farming. Gerald continued to farm, move equipment, and supervise until his passing. He was a very enthusiastic sports fan and enjoyed all the sports in their respective seasons, attending his children’s and some of his grandchildren’s games and activities over the years. As the years flew by, the memories continued with the children and grandchildren providing hours of fun and entertainment on the farm with the gator, four wheelers, motorcycles, tractor rides, feeding the cattle and hunting birds. He enjoyed family get togethers for their 50th wedding anniversary in 2006 in the Black Hills, SD, his 80th birthday celebration in 2013 at Itasca State Park at a resort by Walker, MN, and his 85th and 90th birthday celebrations in Wildrose.

He is survived by his wife, Marian, of 67 years; six children, Shelley (Kent) Siemers of Omaha, NE, Glendon (Cheryl) Olson of Williston, ND, Harlan Olson of Williston, ND, Robin (Denise) Olson of Wildrose, ND, Marshall (Tiffany) Olson of Watertown, SD and Jerome Olson of Woodbury, MN. Thirteen grandchildren, Jaci (Nate Bicak) Siemers of Omaha, Jessie (Frank Smagacz) Siemers of Omaha, Lauren (Jake) Feyerherm of Omaha, Taylor Siemers of Omaha, Garred (Jenny) Olson of Minot, Chase Olson of Williston, Paige (Cory) Cramer of Stanley, Wyatt Olson of Williston, Karli Olson of Williston, Austin Olson of Wildrose, Dylan Olson and Ande Ramsey of Watertown, Cody (Lindsey) Olson of Sioux Falls and Dalton (Logan) Olson of Fargo. Also, nine great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Bob Frarck; sister-in-law, Joyce Pederson; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Jonas and Ruth Kvilhaug; sister, Deanne Frarck; brothers-in-law, Reuben Kvilhaug and Llew Pederson; sister-in-law, Elaine Kvilhaug; infant son; several aunts, uncles and cousins.

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