David L. Olson, 76, of Brookings, passed away Monday, Nov. 23, 2020, at his home in Brookings. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30, 2020, at GracePoint Wesleyan Church in Brookings. Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at GracePoint Wesleyan Church. Masks are encouraged to be worn when attending services. Rude’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
David L. Olson was born on April 20, 1944, the son of Lewis and Ione (Sederstrom) Olson, at the family home in Arlington, SD. He grew up in Arlington and was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church, in Arlington.  His interest in business started at a young age, running his own popcorn stand in front of his mother’s restaurant, a concession stand at the park and at 15 years old, ran the Arlington Pool. He attended school in Arlington and spent summers in living in Chamberlain with his sister and coaching the Chamberlain Swim Team, leading them to a state title. His junior year of high school he moved to Lincoln, NE, to pursue his passion of swimming. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1962. He went on to college at University of Nebraska-Lincoln on a swimming scholarship. He returned to Brookings, SD, to begin his entrepreneurial endeavor joining his mother in the Brookings Café. He was united in marriage to Diane Nordbye on April 19, 1965, Trinity Lutheran Church in Arlington. The couple was blessed with their first child, Timberly. The young family moved to Beresford, SD, where he owned and operated Dave’s Drive-Inn. While in Beresford, they welcomed their first son, Davey. Shortly their after, they returned to Brookings, where he continued in the restaurant business with his mother, and welcomed their last two children, Lisa and Danny. David and Diane started the first smorgasbord buffet in Brookings, Sunday’s at Ione’s Brookings Café in 1971. In 1976, David expanded his horizons, buying his first rental property. He continued to grow his rental business for many years to come, eventually passing it on to his son. In 1981, David opened Mr. Steak in the Brookings Mall, which later became Kalico’s Mexican Restaurant and Lounge. On March 3, 1985, Ione’s Café was lost to fire during a blizzard. In 1990, he established and operated Danny’s Lounge for many years. David spent the first 20 years working hands on until Parkinson’s Disease slowed him down. The last 10 years, he focused his efforts on consulting and advising his daughter in the operations of the businesses.
Growing up, David enjoyed hunting, and absolutely loved swimming. As a child he would hitchhike rides to Lake Preston to go swimming at the pool. Later in life he taught his children how to swim. As a child, he always loved going in the truck with his dad, and all the adventures trucking took them on. The family enjoyed many summer days at the cabin on Lake Poinsett, being on the lake and teaching the family how to ski.  He was an avid Nebraska Cornhusker fan. Growing up he was very involved in Scouting, obtaining the rank of Eagle Scout, and later becoming a Junior Leader. Above all else, his family meant everything to him.
Grateful for having shared his life is his wife, Diane Olson, of Brookings, SD; three children, Timberly (Dony Hai) Olson, David (Nastassa Dutton) Olson and Lisa (Brooks) Behrend all of Brookings, SD; 13 grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; three sisters, Darlene Corey of Howard, SD, Darla Mae Petri of Apple Valley, MN and Delphae (Jim) Boyd of Dallas, TX and many nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Danny, three brothers, Sanford, Donald ‘Hut’, Lewis ‘Darwin’, his sister, Donna Lou and his favorite furry friend, Buddy L.
Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com.