Randall Olson Obituary

Randall Howard Olson, age 66, of Litchville, ND, passed away early Thursday morning on January 23rd, 2025, under Hospice Care at Ava’s House by Sanford Health in Sioux Falls, SD, with his daughters by his side. A funeral service will be held late spring on June 7th, 2025 @ 2:00 p.m. at the Buffalo, ND Lutheran Church with an Interment to follow at the Buffalo, ND Cemetery. 

Randall Howard, the son of Ralph and Irene (Heilman) Olson, was born on November 22nd, 1958 at the hospital in Jamestown, ND. He was a middle child, oldest boy, with 6 siblings. The family moved around the state of North Dakota, during his childhood, leading Randy to attend a handful of schools located in the towns of Carrington, New Rockford, Crary, and lastly Edmore, in which he graduated high school from in 1977. A few childhood extra-curricular activities that he enjoyed participating in included Basketball and ROTC. After high school Randy attended college at UND in Grand Forks, ND, where he graduated in 1981, with a 4-year Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science. He spent about a decade working as a Computer Software Engineer at a number of locations including a missile base in ND, Northrop in Colorado, Raytheon in Massachusetts, and 3M in Minnesota. In the early 1990’s he decided to make a bold career change to the field of nursing. He went back to school and graduated from East Grand Forks Tech where he received his Licensed Practical Nursing Diploma. A few years later he went back to college once more in Williston, ND. He achieved his associate’s degree in Practical Nursing there. He worked in his nursing profession for almost 30 years, in various nursing homes across North Dakota, before retiring in 2023 from Maryhill Manor in Enderlin, ND. 

In 1984 Randall met the love of his life Karen Lois Dunford. They married on May 3rd of 1986 in Anaheim, California. The marriage lasted 20 years and they had two daughters together. He claimed he had always wanted girls. Randy was a caring and devoted father. He was eager to help his children in any way he could, such as through teaching the ways of life, and offering advice. He was always just a phone call away, and ready to lend a helping hand. He truly enjoyed assisting with their school work, especially mathematics. In 2022 Randy became a grandfather. He adored his granddaughter. She brought him immense joy and a sense of life fulfillment in his last years. Randy was an intelligent man in many aspects. He would take great pleasure in researching and absolutely loved learning. He had a sharp memory and ability to retain new knowledge. Randy found happiness and purpose in challenging himself, even when no one else was watching, simply because he wanted to create a better version of himself. He was a deep thinker and future-oriented. He often reflected on his life and contemplated what was best for his existence. He treated life as a game of chess, every move/decision being planned out carefully and intellectually. He was health conscious, especially focused on nutrition and organic lifestyle practices, which was a passion of his to study. He also enjoyed plants, nature, animals, music, art, Saturday Night Live and movies. In his younger years he was an enthusiast of bowling, shooting pool, video games, and playing on his Casio keyboard. Other hobbies of his included household repairs and projects, updating computer software, and working on cars. He was a huge fan of Toyota. Randy was an extraordinarily hard worker at home and in his career. He put full effort into everything he did. He would have continued working far past initial retirement age if it had not been for a decline in his health, after he was diagnosed with Parkinsonism. Like all other things in life, Randy put his all into the battle against the rapid progression and complications of his condition. His unwavering strength prevailed until the very end. 

Randall is survived by his daughters Erin Olson of Fargo, ND; Julie Olson (Grant Besette) of Buffalo, ND; granddaughter Iris Besette; former wife Karen Olson of West Fargo, ND; 5 siblings Charlene Olson of Minot, ND; Yvonne Hoeltl of Devils Lake, ND; Beverly (David) Harrington of Poinciana, FL; Richard (Pauline) Olson of St Cloud, MN; Cara (Rolland) Miller of Warren, MN; and numerous nieces and nephews & great nieces and nephews. 

Randy was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother Robert Olson, and aunts & uncles.