Robert C. Olson

Robert C. Olson, age 89, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Monday, June 8, 2020, at a local care center. Public funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, 2020, at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church. Rev. Paul Janke will officiate. Music will be provided by Paul Lindhorst as soloist accompanied by DeDe Rosenthal as pianist. The service will be Live-Streamed. The family is requested to meet at the church by 1:30 p.m. for a family prayer service.

Public visitation will be on Friday at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel from 5-7 p.m.

Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Military graveside honors will be conducted by the Military Funeral Honors Team of the SD Army National Guard and the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1054. Pallbearers will be: Jeff Bach, Jon Bach, Chris Bach, Robert Alexander, Matthew Walters and Luke Phillips.

Robert was born on June 27, 1930, in Raymond, SD, to Carl L. and Lydia R. (Huwe) Olson. After graduating from Henry High School in 1948, Robert entered the U.S. Army. Following his Honorable Discharge, Robert attended and graduated from SDSU, where he received several distinguished awards in engineering.

On October 28, 1951, Robert was united in marriage to Gloria Lenling in Watertown. Robert worked for Control Data Corporation in Minneapolis, MN for 26 ½ years, retiring at the age of 55. He then started a fish farming business in Pequot Lakes, MN and owned that until moving to Watertown in 2015. He also worked on Ideal Township Board as well in Pequot Lakes. Gloria preceded him in death in 2013.

He was a past member and elder at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Pequot Lake. Robert and Gloria loved to square dance. He rebuilt a 1925 Model TT one ton truck and a 1926 model T sedan that his son has today. Robert was known for his sense of humor and corny jokes.

Robert is survived by his children: Robert C. Olson, Jr. of Danbury, WI, Sandra (James) Bach of Chandler, AZ, and Penny (Daniel) Walters of Lafayette, IN; his son-in-law, Nathan Aguayo of Long Beach, CA; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and his sister-in-law, Jan Olson of Ft. Meyers, FL.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Gloria; two sons, Gordon Olson and Kenneth Olson; his parents; three sisters and one brother.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com