Joe Olson

Joseph Olson, Dawson passed away peacefully from melanoma cancer on October 16, 2021 at Madison Lutheran Home in Madison, MN at the age of 61.

Memorial services will be held November 6, 2021 at 11:00 AM at Hanson & Dahl Funeral Home in Dawson.  Rev. Kendall Stelter will officiate and burial will be at Dawson Cemetery.

Visitation will be held for one hour before the service at the funeral home.

Joseph Brian Olson was born April 16,1960 to Lloyd & Connie (Holman) Olson in Sioux Falls, SD.  He spent most of his first 19 years in Sioux Falls, graduating from Washington High School in 1979. He joined the Navy in 1986 and was proud to serve, especially on his first ship, the USS Midway. Joe was a veteran of the 1st Gulf War and traveled the world in the Navy from 1986 until his retirement in early 1997. In October 1997 he met the love of his life, Lauren in a BBW (Big Beautiful Women) chat room on AOL. They were an internet romance that worked! Joe and Lauren married in 2001 and spent many wonderful years in Gulfport MS. He got his auto mechanics degree from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and started selling auto parts eventually becoming an ASE Certified Parts Specialist! Many customers would only trust Joe to sell them the parts they needed and many became friends!

Minnesota began calling them in the fall of 2019 so they decided to retire and move home June 2020 to the town Joe’s Dad was raised in and the one Joe lived in during middle school with his uncle and aunt, Norman & Marlys Olson-Dawson! Joe loved his family and friends who were like family and especially his fur babies! He enjoyed wood turning, guns (shooting, building, & discussing), traveling, fishing, and making people laugh.

Joe leaves behind his loving wife - Lauren Withers Olson, Dawson, MN; children - Jennifer (Tim) Gibson, Des Moines, IA, Mike Olson, Des Moines, IA, Alex Olson, Dawson, MN; beloved grandchildren : Riley, Lexi, Lincoln, & Baby Trey, Des Moines, IA; brother & sister-in law: David (Kathy) Olson, Valdosta, GA; cousin like a brother - Jeff (Pat) Olson, Dawson, MN; cousins like sisters: Gail Horton, Clark, MO, Janice Olson, Dawson, MN; nieces and nephews: Mark (Heather), Scott (Wendy), Al (Jessica), Amanda, Jeremy, Amy (Adam), Jacob, Emily (Kenny), Leroy, Abigail, Madeleine, Caroline; along with many great nephews and nieces; cats: Gem, Sebastian, Ellie, Hemi; and dogs: Abita and Teddy.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents: Lloyd Olson & Connie Olson; brothers: Larry Olson, James Olson; uncle and aunt who helped raise him: Norman Olson, Marly Olson; favorite niece: Shannon Olson; in laws: John & Bettye Withers.

Special thanks to Sanford Hospice specially Carissa and Marissa, and the Madison Care Center for the excellent care given to Joe in his last few weeks. Our family is grateful for each of you!

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to either a cancer charity, a military charity, an animal rescue charity or to a charity you choose. If you are Facebook friends with Joe, Lauren has created an album that you are invited to peruse and leave memories! If you have a picture you would like included, message it to her!