Darrell Jerome Olson

Darrell Jerome Olson (age 74) passed peacefully into the arms of the Lord on Saturday February 15, 2025, with his wife Paula holding his hand.
He was born on November 22, 1950, to Arthur and Celia Olson in Starbuck MN. Darrell had one brother (Glenmore) and one sister (Betty). He moved with his family at a young age to Parkers Prairie MN and lived there until he graduated from Parkers Prairie High School in 1968.
He played basketball, baseball and ran track in high school. He was named All Conference and WCCO Player of the Week during his high school basketball career. He also appeared on stage in the school's theatre presentations and was a member of the National Thespian Society.
He attended Fergus Falls Community College and Moorhead State College.
He met his wife Paula in 1972 at her father's restaurant and they married on August 25, 1973. They were married for 51 years and have three sons, Erik, Ryan and Neal. They lived in Fridley, Circle Pines, and Moundsview before settling in Maple Grove for 31 years to raise their sons.
Darrell loved basketball and coached all three sons. He was also an avid fisherman and hunter. He went to Sitka, Alaska several times to fish salmon and halibut.
In 2021, he took all three sons with him to Alaska in what they all said was the best fishing trip ever making wonderful and lasting memories!
Darrell and Paula loved to travel and can boast they have visited 27 countries in their travels. Darrell's favorite cities were Prague and Budapest. He and Paula experienced the world and made new friends as they traveled.
Darrell started his career at the Onan Corporation in Fridley and eventually moved into a retail management career starting with positions at Donaldsons, Carson's, Target and eventually led him to Select Comfort (now Sleep Number). After almost 20 years at Sleep Number, he retired as Vice-President of Distribution and Logistics. He joined the company when it was in the middle of a struggling time and was part of the team that led it to be the success it became in the bedding industry. After his official retirement from Sleep Number, he created DO Consulting Company and worked as a logistics consultant for five years.
Darrell is preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Celia Olson and brother, Glenmore.
He will be forever missed and loved by wife Paula, children Erik (Molly), Ryan (Emily), and Neal (partner Sabine), and grandchildren, Nora, Henry, James, Tommy and Ole, sister, Betty Goyette and many other friends and relatives, including his British Lab/Hunting Partner, Millie
A visitation will be held from 4-6pm Thursday March 6th at Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel, 5000 W. 50th and Hwy 100, Edina.
A memorial service will be held at 11am Friday March 7th with visitation beginning at 10am at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 7401 City Rd 101, Maple Grove, MN. Interment Lord of Life Memorial Peace Garden.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Feed My Starving Children, Pheasants Forever, or the United Way. www.washburn-mcreavy.com
Edina Chapel 952-920-3996