Dale A. Olson

Montana & Wyoming mourn the loss of a husband, dad, brother, friend, true outdoors-man, and so much more as Dale A. Olson hung up his earthly spurs Saturday, May 29, 2021 at the age of 75 following a short illness with Covid19. Dale was born May 17, 1946 in Tracy, Minnesota to Leonard and Minnie (Lohrbach) Olson. He was the youngest of 9 children. Dale grew up on the family farm north of Walnut Grove and completed his schooling through 12th grade from Walnut Grove Senior High School. While in MN he met and married his first wife Susan Neumann in 1965. From that union they had two children, Travis and Lynette. During that time he worked for various farmers, Control Data, and 3M. In 1978 he moved out to MT. It was there that he met and married Carolyn Zimdars in 1982. Together they had two children, Daniel and Kerrine. Dale worked for the Labors Union 1686 highway construction in MT & WY as well as working at the Cenex refinery in Laurel, MT. In 1998 he retired from the Labors Union and began work with many farmers in the Powell and Cody, WY area producing and shipping alfalfa hay for the racehorse industry. He and his wife later ran their own haying business, Olson Custom Haying for several years. After doing some other odds and ends jobs he then fully retired and was able to focus his time and energy more fully on the things he loved, family, horses, guns, outdoors. Dale was always active and enjoyed the outdoors. He was always planning his next adventure. In his younger years he enjoyed going to mountain man rendezvous. He did black powder shooting, canoeing, as well as being an avid hunter and gun collector. He loved to go hiking with his family and whether it be on horse or on foot he loved reaching new destinations. His love of the mountains and horses lead him to join Back Country Horsemen. There he helped clear trails, plan new trails, and go on many rides with friends across MT and WY. Dale was a member of the NRA, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and Weapons Collectors of MT, WY, CO, ND, and SD. He also served on the boards of; Bennett Creek Church, Beartooth Back Country Horsemen, as well as serving as president of the Shoshone Back Country Horsemen. Faith and family were very important to Dale. He raised his children to know Christ and lived his life showing love, humility, and genuineness. He would always make you feel welcome and would help anyone in need. His gentle and caring nature and kind and welcoming smile will be truly missed. He loved spending time with his grandchildren. Going camping, chopping wood, riding horses, he enjoyed being part of their lives. He would often look around and say how truly blessed and thankful he was. Though he never got the chance to meet his great-grandchildren he cherished each of them. Dale is preceded in death by parents, Leonard and Minnie; brothers and sisters, Everett, Grace, Robert, Genevieve, Edmund, and Galen. He is survived by first wife, Sue, wife, Carol; children, Travis (Lisa), Lynette, Daniel (Balea), Kerrine (Ryan); sister Bonnie, brother Larry (Judy); 8 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many of his great friends.His memorial service will be held June 26th, 2021 at 2pm at Bennett Creek Church 11 Rd 8WC Clark, WY.In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Back Country Horsemen (Shoshone or Beartooth), Shiloh Technical Institute, or any organization near and dear to your heart. Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements.