Steven D. Olson, 73, Valley City, ND passed away at his home surrounded by his family June 4, 2024.  A celebration of his life will be held in the Lerud Mathias Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, June 8 at 2:00 PM. Visitation will be the hour prior to the service.

The service will be live streamed, then archived, on a link provided along with his obituary on his tribute page at www.lerudmathias.com.  An online guestbook is available there as well.

Steven Douglas Olson was born February 13, 1951, in Valley City, ND to Oscar O. and Anne (Grotting) Olson. He grew up on a farm south of Valley City and was a 1970 VCHS graduate. Steve “Sugar Bear” played football for the Hi-Liners and for the VCSU Vikings.

In 1972, he married Gaylene Overbeck in Valley City. They raised their children, Chris and Nicole on the farm south of town.

His first career was as a farmer, alongside his father and brother, Gary. They had the largest hog farm in the state of ND, at one time having 2000 pigs and 100 cattle. Throughout their years on the farm, they were given various awards. Later, he worked alongside his longtime friend, Marlin Pfeifer at Valley Radiator (The Best Place to Take a Leak). Steve finished his working life in facility services at VCSU, retiring in 2014. He also became a “world renowned” (well locally anyway) blackjack dealer at the VFW Post 2764 and City Lights Supper Club.

Steve was a jack of all trades. He could fix anything and was always willing to lend ahand when you needed help. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and golfing. After his retirement, he started his favorite “job”, taking care of his grandchildren. He attended every activity he could, and it wasn’t hard for the kids to talk him into a trip to Dairy Queen.

He is survived by his wife, Gaylene; children, Chris (Nicole) and Nicole (Jerrod) Kneeland; grandchildren, Peyton, Sadie, Colter and Wyatt; and his dog, Bolt. Steve also leaves his sisters, Beverly Strand, Janet (Doyle) Watson, Linda (Robert) Nagle, and Lylanne Krebs as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Dale and Gary; and a few of his favorite dogs, Willie Jay Walker, Ozzy, Jesse, and Sawyer Brown.