Dan K. Olson, 88
Dan K. Olson, 88, of Kalispell, passed away peacefully at Logan Hospital on Jan. 14, 2025, with his beloved wife, Jeanne, by his side. He was born in Duluth, Minnesota, to Elmer E. and Mona Olson.
His earliest years were spent near Mille Lacs Lake, with his sister, Patty Jo, and brother Mike. Their family moved to Aitkin, Minnesota, when Dan was 6. His school years were filled with sports, hunting, and fishing. In the middle of Dan's junior year, his family moved to Mankato, Minnesota.
Dan graduated from Mankato High School and attended Mankato State College and Dunwoody Institute. He found his calling working on a survey crew one summer. He worked several years for the Minnesota State Highway Department, until recruited by AJC, a heavy construction company, to work as a field engineer on the construction of the St. Anthony Lock and Dam on the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. He worked for AJC for the next 28 years, going wherever they sent him.
While in Mankato, Dan and Jeanne met on a blind date in 1959, marrying in 1961. Their first son, Scott Daniel, was born in DeQueen, Arkansas, in 1966, and his brother, James Douglas, arrived in Davenport, Iowa in 1969.
Dan and his family moved from state to state, building locks, dams, tunnels, powerhouses, and big bridges. Dan's favorite project was always the Eisenhower Tunnel in the Colorado Rockies. He loved his work, and was good at it, advancing from field engineer to general superintendent. To quote a former co-worker,
"Dan had the gift at the beginning of being able to visualize a complicated project in its completed state, and he could see the steps needed to reach its completion."
After Dan and Jeanne retired to the Flathead Valley in 1992, they traveled the world. Dan's focus shifted to fishing, conservation, and woodworking. Trout Unlimited and Glacier Woodturners became a big part of Dan's life. Always glad to help or mentor others, he will be missed.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jeanne, their son, James (Laurie) Olson, daughter-in-law, Felicia Olson, grandsons, Alex and Zach Olson, granddaughter, Danielle Olson, nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Scott Olson, his sister, Patty Jo Swanberg, and his brother, Michael Olson.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. The family suggests memorial donations to Montana Trout Unlimited or the Flathead Land Trust.