Joan E. Olson

Joan E. Olson, age 68, of Volga, SD, passed away on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD, surrounded by her family. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, June 27, 2025 at the First Reformed Church in Volga, SD. Visitation will be held the night prior from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the First Reformed Church in Volga on Thursday, June 26, 2025. Eidsness Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Joan E. Post was born on August 30, 1956, to Jake and Cora (VanBeek) Post in Brookings, SD. She grew up on a farm one mile north of Volga before moving to a farm near Sinai in 1974. Joan attended and graduated from Sioux Valley High School in 1974. Always a go-getter, she would meet Bob on her way to hunt skunks with her sisters. Unbeknownst to Bob, that encounter on a gravel road would set the tone for a lifetime of love, ingenuity and faithful stewardship. The couple was united in marriage in 1978. To this union, they were blessed with four children; Jeff, Elisa, Melanie and Andrea. Joan taught her four children lessons in parenting, loving the Lord and serving others. She taught them the value of family, hard work and a good horse. The family's barn became a special sanctuary wherein hours were spent grooming ponies and horses, laughing, crying and learning about life. Even after they had grown, Joan continued to share her love for horses with grandchildren. With her guidance, they learned to ride and care for the animals. Her strong hands helped little ones fill chores buckets, feed bottle lambs, and scoop out the barn. Even now, it will be a place of great comfort and cherished memories. Joan held many titles in her life. She was a wife, mom, teacher, daughter, sister, aunt, neighbor, coworker and friend. However, her most valued title was grandma. Joan had a unique and special relationship with each of her grandchildren. She loved them so completely. She will leave an irreplaceable hole in their hearts. But her legacy will live on through them. She will be remembered every time they saddle up a horse, sing a hymn she taught them, and sit around a family dinner table. The definition of hardworking, Joan held many jobs throughout her life. She was a teacher. She had a gift for teaching special education. She valued each student and worked hard to help them achieve their goals in the classroom and in life. Additionally, she worked at a hardware store, grocery store and Daktronics. With each job, she made every individual she encountered feel special. Joan's faith in the Lord was evident to all those who knew her. She was, in all sense of the verse, a good and faithful servant. She spent many years teaching Sunday school and was member of First Reformed Church in Volga, SD. Joan was a foster mom. She had a special place in her heart for all children. She embodied selflessness and helped many struggling individuals, both young and old, in her life. She humbly praised the Lord both from the pew and around her kitchen table with family. Joan will be missed immensely. It is because she loved so well, taught by example, guided selflessly and knew Jesus that family and friends will feel comfort even now. Joan is survived by her husband, Bob Olson; four children, Jeff (Sara) Olson, Elisa (Jon) Koeniguer, Melanie (Dan) Gerdes and Andrea (Scott) Wheelhouse; her 11 grandchildren, Jillian, Dane, Jacoby, Cora, Jaden, Maverick, Hawkins, Lainey, Dutton, Cruise and Coco; seven siblings, Betty (Jim) Halde of Sioux Falls, SD, Marvin (Joyce) Post of Volga, SD, Sylvia Misar of Oldham, SD, Bob Post of Madison, SD, Carol (Greg) Bolstad of Volga, SD, Dave (Mary) Post of Volga, SD and Denny (Kerry) Post of Volga, SD; nephew and honorary grandson, Nathan post; brother-in-law Steve (Maricel) Olson of Volga, SD; sister-in-law Kathy Murray of Aberdeen and many other cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jake and Cora (VanBeek) Post, her brother Sid, in-laws Deb Post and Pulley (Christine) Olson and a nephew, Seth.