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Obituary: David R. Olson

June 9, 1937 ~ September 24, 2022

David R. Olson, 85 years old, of Ephraim, died Saturday, September 24, 2022, at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay.

David was born June 9, 1937, in Chicago, Illinois the son of the Delmar and Norma (Youngstrom) Olson.  He received his undergraduate degree in Physical Education and a minor in History from UW-Lacrosse and Concordia University in Minnesota and a master’s degree in Education from UW-Madison.

On June 18, 1960, he married Barbara E. Holand at Bethany Lutheran Church in Ephraim.  For a few years, David taught Physical Education before entering the insurance field with State Farm Insurance.  David retired from State Farm as a District Manager in 1995.  After retiring, David went to work as a personal banker, real estate agent, and was Assistant Athletic Director at Gibraltar High School.

Not one to sit still, upon moving to Door County full time, David joined and was very active with the Sister Bay Lions Club. He was a local and state team’s sports fan. He played baseball and football in college and continued for many years competing in the Door County League, eventually managing the Sister Bay Bay’s. Most of all Dave loved to sing. He was a member of the Bell Canto Chorus in Milwaukee, the Door Men Choir, and sang with all his church choirs.  Twice monthly, he led the sing-a-long at Scandia Village and led music for all his Lions Club meetings.

Surviving family include his dear wife, Barbara of Ephraim; children, David Olson of Milwaukee, Tammy (Scott) Brandenburg of Cedarburg; five grandchildren, Meghan (Josh) Basile, Nicole (Devin) Sherman, Kaitlyn (James) Tillmann, Drew (fiancé, Abigail) Brandenburg, Zach (friend, Kenzie) Brandenburg; he was known as “Grandpa GG” to seven great-grandchildren, Aubrey, Oaklee, Tucker, Lakelyn, Avery, Jensen, Isla; six siblings, Dennis (Carol) Olson of Manitowoc, Delmar (Terry) Olson of Sister Bay, Diane Dietman of Baileys Harbor, Lynn Dahlstrom of Sister Bay, Dale Olson of Sturgeon Bay, Donna (Art) Timke of Baileys Harbor; sister in law, Pat Cvejic of Milwaukee; many dear nieces and nephews. 

A celebration of David’s life will be held at 1:00pm on Friday, October 21, 2022 at ­­­­­ Bethany Lutheran Church in Ephraim with Rev. Frank Kauzlarich officiating.  Friends may call at the church from 11:00am – 1:00pm until the time of service.  Burial will be at Bethany Lutheran Cemetery at the southeast entrance of Peninsula Park. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Bethany Lutheran Church in Ephraim, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Juddville, or a charity of your choice.

Casperson Funeral Home of Sister Bay is assisting the Olson family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of David may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.caspersonfuneralhome.com.