Robert "Bob" W. Olson, age 92, of Volga, died Monday, October 3, 2016, at The Neighborhoods at Brookview in Brookings. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 7, 2016, at First Lutheran Church in Volga, with interment in the church cemetery. Visitations will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at Eidsness Funeral Chapel in Volga. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to First Lutheran Church in Volga.

Robert Walter Olson was born May 1, 1924, near Brookings, to Robert E. and Clara G. (Steen) Olson. He graduated from Brookings High School in 1942. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II from October 1944 until November 1946. He received the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, and Bronze Star during the war. He attended SDSU from 1946 until 1950 when he graduated in Agricultural Education.

Bob married Ardith Young on December 19, 1948, at Morristown, South Dakota. They lived in Brookings until 1950 when they moved to Hills, Minnesota, where Bob taught the Veterans' Agriculture Program until 1960. In 1961, the family moved near Volga where Bob farmed until his retirement. Ardith died December 3, 2009.

Bob served as secretary of the Volga Co-op board, treasurer of the Volga Township Board, and as treasurer of the First Lutheran Cemetery board. He also served on the First Lutheran Church council and on the most recent pastoral call committee. He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans and Past Commander of Burrows-Young American Legion Post No. 114. Bob enjoyed music, woodworking, carving, assembling model airplanes, and watching sports, especially the Jackrabbits, and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include his four daughters: Patricia (Darrell) Seefeldt of Clark, South Dakota, Valerie Jackson of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, Carolyn (Robert) Eide of Tioga, North Dakota, and Julie (Timothy) Pelican of Modesto, California; ten grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; wife; son, Steven; three brothers: Clifford, Raymond, and Burnett Olson; and three sisters: Esther Van Maanen, Clarice Olson, and Ruby Brooking.