Donald E. Oleson

Donald Eugene Oleson, age 68, of Carroll passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll surrounded by his family following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at St. John Lutheran Church in Carroll with Rev. Cindy Johnson officiating. Organist for the service will be Jan Potthoff. Casket bearers will be Steve Nuckels, Jim Van Dyke, Richard Hogan, John Brockelsby, Jim Gossett, Keith Petersen, Rob Cordes, and Don’s brother Robert Oleson. Honorary casket bearers will be Don’s co-workers from Availa Bank. Burial will be in the Carroll City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund has been established in Don’s name and memorials may be left at the school during visitation or at the church. Friends may call at the Carroll High School Gymnasium after 5:00 P.M. on Wednesday evening where there will be a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. Visitation will resume at St. John Lutheran Church at 9:30 A.M. on Thursday until the time of service. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com Don was born on January 7, 1949 in Hampton, IA, at the Franklin County Hospital to Floyd and Thyra (Hansen) Oleson. Don grew up on a farm near Latimer. He graduated from CAL High School in Latimer, IA, in 1967. After high school he went on to Wartburg College where he received his Bachelors in Education and ran on the track team. He started his teaching career in Coon Rapids in 1971 and then went on to teach and most importantly started the girl’s basketball program at Carroll High School back in 1973. He retired from coaching and teaching personal finance and accounting classes in 2006. After retiring from teaching he stayed lively by working part-time at Carroll County State Bank/Availa Bank. Don married Shari Johnson in 1971 in Greene, Iowa. They were happily married for 46 years. Don was a member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church. Don received numerous awards over his career for his coaching. Coach took the Tigers to five state tournament appearances and won back to back state championships in 1996 and 1997. He enjoyed playing as much golf as he could get away with even if it meant teeing off at the crack of dawn. He also enjoyed traveling and still found time to attend his grandchildren’s activities. Don is survived by his spouse Shari of Carroll; his daughter Suzanne (David) Olberding of Carroll; his son Jeffrey (Michelle) Oleson of Polk City, IA; his brother Robert (Sue) Oleson of Urbandale, IA; his sister Mary (Allen) Tesdahl of Clarion, IA; and his seven grandchildren; Abigail, Erin, Ethan, Lauren, Isaiah, Addison, and Emmerson. Don was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Thrya Oleson as well as his brother Arlyn.