Bernie Floyd Olson, 59, of Spearfish, SD and formerly of Williston, ND unexpectedly passed away February 25, 2018 in Sturgis, SD.

Bernie was born in Williston, ND to Floyd and Nyla Rae (Anseth) Olson on May 22, 1958. Bernie was raised west of Williston. He attended Johnson school, a single room school house thru 8th grade, and then attended High School in Trenton, graduating Salutatorian in 1976.

His whole life Bernie worked as a carpenter and in oilfield sales. He finished out his last few years in semi-retirement, working at the camp ground at Beaver Bay Recreation Area with his brother Todd as co-host. He was a hard working man! You could count on him for anything. He was very selfless. Bernie’s favorite hobbies were hunting, being outdoors, camping and spending time in Deadwood. He enjoyed watching the NDSU Bison and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He loved spending time with his grandkids and would go out of his way to enjoy this time with them. He had an addictive, distinctive laugh. You could follow the sound of his laugh to find him in a crowded room. One of the things he was most proud of was that he was able to fulfill his dream of buying his house in the Black Hills. He loved having Christmas there with his family, playing cards, sledding and 4-wheeling. He enjoyed life. He enjoyed people. Bernie loved talking and singing around a good campfire with all of his “Beaver Bay Friends”, and the hours spent on Dave and Brandy’s pontoon cruising around Lake Sakakawea were Bernie and Michele’s favorite times.

He is survived by his loving wife, Michele; his son, Brian and his children, Kelseigh and Preston, Fremont, NE; daughter, Elicia Olson and fiancé John Reis and their daughter, Anna Reis, Dickinson, ND; daughter Jalyn LeBlanc and husband Lonnie and their daughter Avery, Belen, NM; three brothers, Brett Olson (Kristi), Thad Olson (Terri), Todd Olson (Amee), Mesquite, NV; father-in-law, Arthur Paulson, Cartwright, ND; sister-in-law, Becky (John), Yadon Ammon, ID and several nieces and nephews.

Bernie is preceded in death by his parents and his mother in-law.