Services for Roy Olson, 58, of Groton will be 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Groton. Pastor Elizabeth Johnson will officiate. Burial will follow in Groton Union Cemetery under the direction of Paetznick-Garness Funeral Chapel, Groton.
Visitation will be held at the church from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, with a prayer service at 7 p.m.
Roy passed away Aug. 11, 2013, surrounded by his family at his home.
Roy Leonard Olson was born on Monday, May 23, 1955, to Maurice and Arlene (Nelson) in Aberdeen. He was baptized into the Christian faith at First English Lutheran Church on June 19, 1955. Roy grew up on the family farm at the north end of Main Street. He attended Groton Community School, graduating with the class of 1973.
Roy confirmed his faith at Emmanuel Lutheran Church on May 25, 1969. He was a life- long active member of First English Lutheran, which was renamed Emmanuel when the new church building was constructed. He served on the congregation council and twice was president of the congregation. Roy loved to sing and was a member of the church choir and held various other positions in the congregation.
Roy was united in marriage to Debra Hoops on May 21, 1983, at St. John's Lutheran church in Groton. They were blessed with two sons, Nicholas and Justin.
In fall 1973, Roy joined the water well drilling business with his father, Maurice. In the 1980s, they branched out into the excavation business. Following Nick's graduation from college, Nick joined Roy in the business. Justin also worked with Roy after his graduation. Roy was a longtime member of the South Dakota Well Drillers Association and attended many continuing education events.
Roy took an active part in the Groton community. He was elected to two terms as mayor, serving from 2007 to 2013. He was a longtime member of the Groton Chamber.
Roy began the Olson Development in 2003. He turned pasture and cropland into a beautiful addition to Groton.
Roy is survived by his wife, Debra; sons: Nicholas and his wife, Stephanie, of Aberdeen and Justin of Groton; a brother, Phillip (Virginia) of Eldorado, Iowa; a sister, Eileen (Ed) Brandt of Meridian, Idaho; stepmother, Lila Olson, of Groton; mother-in-law, Beulah Hoops, of Groton; nieces; nephews; cousins; many friends and his dog, Tucker.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Arlene, on July 5, 1982; his father, Maurice, on March 2, 2002; and his father-in-law, Clifford Hoops, on Nov. 6, 2012.
Honorary casketbearers will be City of Groton employees and members of the City Council.
Casketbearers will be: Stan Knudsen, Terry Herron, Bill Stolle, Alan Strom, John Lowary and Greg Clocksene.
May his memory be blessed among us.
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