Joan Maureen Olson age 78 of Lake Preston, South Dakota was ushered in to the presence of her Lord and Savior on Sunday, August 25, 2024.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Brookings First Assembly of God with Pastor Gerry Bass officiating. Isaiah Olson, David Olson, Jonathon Olson, Isaac Olson, Jerod Olson, Ryan Olson, Pete Famighetti and Andrew Olson, will serve as pallbearers. Burial will be at 2 p.m. at Lake Preston Cemetery following a lunch at the church.
A time of visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at Johnson-Henry Funeral Chapel in Lake Preston, South Dakota on Wednesday, Aug. 24.
Joan was born to Osroe and Edith Cooper on April 3, 1946, in East Alton, IL
The family moved to Canalou, Missouri where Joan attended elementary school and then to Lutesville where Joan attended Woodland Elementary and graduated in 1964. During this time her father farmed and her mother pastor-ed the Assembly of God church.
As a child, Joan learned play the piano which she continued to play her entire life. After high school she attended Evangel College in Springfield, MO from 1964 – 1966 and then attended Southwest Missouri State University from 1966 - 1968 where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1968. After completing college, Joan moved back to Canalou, MO, where she taught at the elementary school.
Following her time there, she moved to St. Louis where she taught at Mt. Pleasant Elementary while attending night school at the University of Missouri where she graduated with her Masters in Education in 1972.
She married Ray Olson in 1972 at Trinity Tabernacle in St. Louis, MO. Joan and Ray then moved to Charleston, SC where he was stationed on the submarine USS Silversides SSN679 and she taught sixth grade at Ladson Elementary. Joan and Ray moved to Lake Preston, SD when Ray’s father died suddenly of a heart attack and he returned to continue the family farm.
Joan began teaching fifth grade in Erwin, SD and then in Lake Preston where she taught sixth grade, Title 1, and was Elementary Principal for the final years at Lake Preston Elementary. From 1974 until 2010 Joan poured her heart and soul into the education system and after for thirty seven and a half years, she retired. Following retirement Joan dedicated herself to her grandkids; her church- where she served in the kids ministry and where she along with her husband Ray served as greeters, her landscaping, and her garden.
Joan is lovingly remembered by her husband, Ray Olson of Lake Preston, SD; two sons, Jeremy Olson (Brandi) of Lake Preston, SD and Jonathan Olson (Amanda) of Lake Benton, MN; six grandchildren Elijah Olson of Sioux Falls, SD, Christa Sievers of Boulder, CO, Jonathon Olson of Ellendale, ND, Isaac Olson of Lake Preston, SD, Isaiah Olson of Lake Benton, MN, David Olson of Lake Benton, MN, brother Stan Cooper of Lloch Lloyd, MO;
Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Osroe and Edith Cooper.
In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established.
