Karl Richard "Dick" Olsen

March 29, 1933 - October 12, 2025

Karl Richard Olsen, 92, passed away on October 12, 2025, in Eden Prairie, Minn. Dick was predeceased by wife, Judy; and parents, Elling and Signe. He is survived by sister, Lorelei (Gene) Knorr of Arizona; nephew, Richard (Soyoung) Knorr of South Korea; niece, Kaija Knorr of Arizona; as well as by Judy's brother, Stanton (Diane) Sanderson; nephew, Mark (Janine) and their children, AJ and Skyler; and niece, Karen (Todd) Goldstein, and their son, Bryce, all of Illinois. Dick's sister-in-law, Dianne Sanderson, also survives and is a life-long resident of Minnesota. Born at home in Miles City, Mont., on March 29, 1933, Dick grew up in Billings, developing a life-long love of the West. He graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1951, and in the fall entered St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. Seeking a career in media, Dick transferred the next year to the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, graduating in 1955 from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. He was a member of the professional fraternities Sigma Delta Chi and Alpha Delta Sigma. While at the University, many of Dick's most memorable and joyful times were as a member of the Concert Band and the Football Marching Band, playing alto saxophone and clarinet. He also wrote for the Gopher Yearbook and produced radio shows on jazz music for the University. After graduating, he served in the United States Army for two years, training as a Signal Corps communication center specialist. Because of his musical experience, Dick transferred into the 7th Division Band after being sent and enduring a 17-day trip in winter on a troop ship to South Korea for occupation duty in 1956. After returning to the United States and being discharged in 1957, he briefly attended college in Billings before enrolling in the graduate school at the University of California (Berkeley) in 1958. He completed the course work for an MA in English before joining the General Electric Advertising and Sales Promotion Training Program in San Francisco.

Wanting to return to Minnesota, Dick left California in 1963 and entered the graduate program in the School of Journalism at the University, graduating with an MA in 1965. He then started his 28-year career with Honeywell and subsidiaries in publications and marketing communications. The highlight of Dick's life was meeting his wife, Judy, at an event at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. In 1981 they were married in Judy's home town of Worthington, Minnesota. Retiring in 1995, Dick was joined by Judy in 1998 who then retired after 33 years as a speech therapist in the Minneapolis school system.

Dick and Judy shared a life-long devotion to their church and, in lighter moments, the music of jazz, and of swing from the Great American Songbook. As was the case with music, Dick and Judy also sought adventure in travel, visiting numerous states and national parks. Overseas trips included several European countries, as well as South Korea which gave Dick and Judy the opportunity to experience the life and culture of Asia while attending nephew Rick's wedding. After Judy passed away, Dick joined his sister and brother-in-law on spirit-lifting cruises to Great Britain, Mexico and New England. Services were held Saturday October 18, 2025, at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 500 Blake Road South, Edina, MN 55343. Refreshments will follow at the church.

Interment will be with Judy and with Dick's parents at Mountview Cemetery in Billings. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church Foundation, or to the charity of donor's choice.

Dahl Funeral Chapel

10 Yellowstone Avenue

Billings, MT 59101

4062488807

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Published by Billings Gazette on Oct. 22, 2025.