Donald L. Olson

Donald L. Olson, 89, longtime resident of Iron River, WI, passed away peacefully surrounded by love, on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at BeeHive Homes in Duluth, MN. He was born in Superior, WI on May 7, 1934, the son of Leslie A. and Esther V. (Danielson) Olson.

Don graduated from East High School in Superior, WI and the University of Wisconsin Stout with a degree in Industrial Arts Education in 1957.

He was united in marriage to Barbara J. Carlson on August 14, 1954, at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Superior. They celebrated 65 years of marriage before Barb’s passing in 2020. Together they purchased their lake property but kept their primary residence in Superior until 1980. They then relocated and settled in at their beloved lake home. Don often said how thankful he was to have spent 70 years at the lake.

Don started his career teaching industrial arts at Northwestern High School in Maple, WI. He taught there for 15 years. He very proudly taught a home building program that is now called Building Construction. He enjoyed following this program through the years.

At age 28, Don purchased Pinecrest Lodge on Pike Lake Chain in Iron River with his business partners. They operated the lodge for 10 summers and made many friendships and memories that have lasted a lifetime. He loved reminiscing about those years.

An entrepreneur at heart, Don decided to retire from education and began working in the lumber business in 1972. He started his career as a businessman and with his business partners was a business owner in Poplar and Iron River, WI for many years. He often said he was so fortunate to have enjoyed each of his jobs and he was happiest with a hammer in his hand.

Don was a loving family man who will be deeply missed by his four children, Dianne (Rob) Barden of Florida, Donna (Jeff) Liebaert of Superior, Daniel (Dana) Olson of Oulu, WI, and Deborah (Randy) Sharbonno of Iron River; grandchildren Chad, Heather, Blake, Andrew, Ross, Ashley, Claire, Laura, Brent, Kristy, and Abby; twenty-one great-grandchildren and one on the way.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Barbara Olson; grandsons Matthew Liebaert and Kyle Sharbonno; and his parents.

The family would like to express their heartfelt thank you and utmost appreciation to the caring staff at BeeHive Homes of Duluth and Gentiva Hospice, for their professional and compassionate care of Donald.

As per Don’s wishes, no public service will be held. His family will celebrate his life privately at the lake at a later date.

If you desire, memorials may be made in Don’s name to the Tech Ed department at Northwestern High School, P.O. Box 188 Maple, WI 54854 Attention: Wendy.

In Don’s later years, he loved and valued the tranquil peace and stillness of the nature and wildlife around him. He loved the sunrises in the quiet mornings and the moonlight on the water at night. He cherished this poem written by his oldest grandson, Chad Olson, in the 11th grade. It lovingly captures Don’s essence:

Lake Millicent Night

There is nothing more relaxing

than some time alone to spend,

thinking about anything

from beginning to the end.

Laying down upon your back

looking up into the stars,

listening to the water lap

upon a long sand bar.

The ‘skeeters buzzing all around

bats darting overhead,

all others turned in for the night

sound asleep in their beds.

It seems as if there is no one.

for miles and miles around,

and far away, a loon calls out

its’ solemn, lonely sound.

The moon shines down from up above

lights dance on waters’ edge,

the breeze dies down, the lake is glass

a rustling from the hedge.

Breaking the peace, a motorboat

its’ engine hums and sputters,

it comes and goes into the night

leaving a trail of broken waters.

A glance northward has now revealed

a show from in the sky,

The colors dance in streaks of light

in awe, you gaze and smile.

For hours and hours, and hours on end

you sit in tranquil peace,

until the sky grows light again

the dawn comes from the east.