Dean A. Olson, age 94, of Dubuque, passed away peacefully at 11:25 p.m., on Friday, January 5, 2024, at Stonehill Health Center.  To honor Dean’s life there will be a Celebration of His Life held at a later date.  Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street is assisting Dean’s family.

Dean was born on July 28, 1929, in Park Rapids, Minnesota, son of C. Axel and Pearl (Sutliff) Olson.

The family moved to Marathon, Iowa in 1945.  He graduated from the North Central School of Agriculture (University of Minnesota) in 1949.  Dean honorably served his country with the U.S. Navy during the Korean War as a baker on the troop transport USS Rockbridge.  After his return, he began farming part time for a number of years in Marathon while working at the Farmer’s Coop and doing construction.  He was lastly employed at Wilson Foods in Cherokee, Iowa from 1966, until his well earned retirement in 1991.  He was united in marriage to Lois Beck in 1957, and they had 3 sons together before parting ways.  Dean later married Dorothy Bell in 1986, but she would sadly pass away in 2011.  Dean was very devoted to his Methodist faith and The American Legion, always joining the local church and chapter no matter what town he was living in.  He liked being active and was an avid BMW motorcycle rider in his 40’s and 50’s.  He was also a talented wood worker and has created several beautiful pieces throughout the years.  In his later years, Dean enjoyed gardening and doing volunteer work.  He had an agreeable personality and was always willing to help out when asked.  Dean has lived a very full life and has seen countless changes throughout the years.  He will be deeply missed.

Those left to cherish Dean’s memory include

his 3 sons,
Tim (Chris Happ) Olson, Dubuque, IA,
Greg (Chris Montgomery) Olson, Columbia, MO
and Brad (Karla Finn) Olson, Des Moines, IA;

5 grandchildren,
Emma Olson, Lena Olson, Tess Wilkerson, Curtis (Jennifer) Finn and Brenda (Alan) Hall;

3 great-grandchildren,
Marcus Finn, Bekah Finn and Adilyn Hall;

his siblings,
Barbara Salton, Spencer, IA
and Palmer (Paula) Olson, Stone Lake, IA;

his former wife,
Lois Olson, Dubuque, IA;

and many nieces and nephews.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Dorothy Olson; his siblings, Herb (Alice) Olson, Theone (Mike) Harris, Deltha (Dale) Barber, Charles “Bud” (Edith) Olson, Phyllis (John) Gobel and Marian (Elmer) Goodrich; and 2 brothers-in-law, Lloyd Hruby and Donald Salton.

Dean’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Stonehill, Assisi Village and Hospice of Dubuque for their kindness and compassionate care.

The family will thankfully receive your support through greeting cards and memorials in Dean’s memory which may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Dean Olson Family.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com