Donald “Duke” Gilbert Olson of Watford City, North Dakota, passed away peacefully on August 24, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Duke was born on November 29, 1942, in McKenzie County, North Dakota, to Gotfred and Grace (Dahl) Olson. He grew up in the Watford City area and attended Elementary Country School. After his dad’s passing when he was twelve years old, he stayed at the Ben Johnston Ranch, where he helped on the ranch, learned to ride bulls, and developed his love for rodeo.

He met the love of his life, Sharon, while cruising Main Street. His friend told him that the Jore girl thought he was cute, and he said he wasn’t letting her go. They were married August 3, 1962, in Alexander, North Dakota. They lived in Watford City, where they raised their three children, Nancy, Greg, and Beth. Together they celebrated 64 years of marriage.

Duke was a self-taught mechanic and fabricator. He rebuilt and rigged up trucks and spent many hours welding in and on tanks. He retired from Power Fuels in 2012. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and working in his shop, making many things for his wife, children, and grandchildren. He made many birdhouses, a barn for each grandchild, and rebuilt tractors. He was always in the shop tinkering, sometimes at 4 AM. If the kids said they would like something made, he had it done within a week or two, or sometimes even the next day. He was always up for a game of Yahtzee, Pinochle, Wahoo, or Phase 10, also known as the asshole game in this family. He built corn hole boards for the whole family, then became extremely competitive at it, especially against his grandkids. One of his few losses won the grandkids a jet ski.

He loved watching his children and grandchildren play sports. He followed the grandkids all across the Dakotas and into Wyoming and even California. He and Sharon also took their family on a wonderful trip to Alaska in the summer of 2024. It was an adventure that included walking with the bears, riding in helicopters, lots of fishing, and even experiencing a small earthquake. They also traveled to Norway and Sweden with his brother Carl and girls. They visited where his dad came from.

He did not know how to sit still unless it was for the Twins, Vikings, or a rodeo. His family often referred to him as their Energizer Bunny. If there was a weed to be picked, no, there wasn’t. He really was a one of a kind, generous, creative, loving, extraordinary husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and son who will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his loving wife Sharon Olson; children, Nancy Bauer (Jon) of Bismarck, Greg Olson of Watford City, Beth (Shawn) Olson of Dickinson; his seven grandchildren; Heather (Mike) Mardian, Kylie (Zach) Krivoruchka, Brady (Erin) Olson, Tyler (Brenna) Bauer, Justin (Kenzie) Bauer, Cole (Tori) Olson, Bailey (Caleb) Chruszch; 15 great grandchildren, Finn, Bennet, Max, & Claire Mardian, Rory Bauer, Dawson & Clayton Bauer, Krew, Dax, & Andie Krivoruchka, Brogan & Briggs Olson, Haylee Olson, and Miles & Collins Chruszch; his brother, Ed (Bev) Olson; brother-in-law, Dick Jore; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Gotfred and Grace Olson; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ernest and Esther Jore; brothers, Carl, Richard, and Alvin; and sisters, Sigrey, Shirley, and Anna.