Douglas K. Olson

     Douglas “Doug” Olson, 68, passed away on February 26, 2021 at Pembina County Memorial Hospital in Cavalier, ND, due to complications of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). A visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 from 5:00–7:00 pm at the Askew Funeral Home in Cavalier, ND. A memorial service will be held in his honor on Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 1:00 pm at the United Lutheran Church in Cavalier, ND. A webcast of the service will be available to watch on the funeral home website on Thursday afternoon. Social distancing and masks will be required.

     Douglas Keith Olson was born December 28, 1952, to Keith and Alice (Sandgren) Olson in Grafton, ND. A lifelong resident of Pembina County, he spent his early years hot-rodding around the streets of his beloved Bathgate, ND, where he lived with his parents and his sister, Linda. He graduated from Neche High School in 1970 and attended the University of North Dakota and North Dakota State University.  

     Doug started farming at an early age with his dad, which blossomed into a decades-long, successful career in agriculture. He was proud of the business that he built. His shop was a frequent gathering point for fellow farmers, looking to celebrate or lament the latest weather event or local happening—perhaps over a Bud Light (or two).

     In April 1970, he worked up the guts to ask his high school crush, Mary Beth Anderson, to their senior prom, sparking a lifelong love affair that carried him through to his last breath. The pair were married at Christ Lutheran Church in Neche, ND on June 28, 1974. They settled in Cavalier, ND and raised three children.

     Doug’s love and zest for life were as strong as his broad shoulders. He was an avid reader, gardener, fisherman, and pheasant hunter. He adored his summer weekends at Woodland Resort in Devils Lake, ND, surrounded by friends who feel like family. He enthusiastically road-tripped to NASCAR races around the country, basked in the Florida sun, and enjoyed glorious beach sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico with Mary Beth during winters in retirement.

     Doug is survived by his wife, Mary Beth; children: Traci (Justin) Elder, Edina, MN; Tricia (Stasha) Ler, Edina, MN; Tyler (Sarah) Olson, Plymouth, MN; grandchildren Samuel and Quinn Elder, Madeline and Nolan Ler, Colin and Benjamin Olson; sister, Linda (Jim) Dupre’, Rapid City, SD; and many loving aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents.

     In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Hospice of the Red River Valley, the Pembina County Memorial Hospital, or United Lutheran Church of Cavalier, ND.