Wayne Sheldon Olson, 82, passed away on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at Eventide at Sheyanne Crossings Nursing Home in West Fargo.
Wayne was born to the late Julian and Laura Olson on August 14, 1940, in Crookston, Minnesota. He graduated from Central High School in Crookston, MN in 1957. He served four years in Hawaii with the Navy before earning a bachelor's degree in English from Minnesota State University Moorhead.
Wayne joined the State Farm Insurance team in 1967 in Grand Forks, ND. He held various positions within the company, including Claim Representative, Field Claim Specialist, and State Farm Catastrophe Services team member, before retiring from the Fargo office in 2007.
Wayne was known for his sharp wit and sense of humor by his coworkers, friends, and family. He was a keen observer of life and such an engaging storyteller that everyone looked to him to recount small dramas over dinner after a long day at work.
Wayne was also a sports enthusiast with a particular love of golf, hockey, and soccer, earning the title Coach of the Year 1985 by the F-M Soccer Association and a nomination for North Dakota State Coach of the Year by the North Dakota Youth Soccer Association.
He is survived by his son, Atticus (Aimee) Olson; daughter, Addiana (Barry) Sassman; daughter, Zezelia Olson; special friend, Bonnie Nagel; 7 grandchildren, Conrad Sassman, Van Olson, Denver Sassman, Kaja Olson, Emorie Sassman, Stellan Olson, Gavin Olson; and siblings, Janette (Ed) Unra; sister, Julie (Steven) Sussek; Daniel (Esther) Olson; brother, Samuel (Marilyn) Olson, and sister, Sandra (Gary) Olson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Julian and Laura Olson; son, Zebulon Olson; brother, Charles "Chuck" Olson; and sister, Barbara Olson.
A memorial gathering will be held on October 7, 2023, from 2 pm - 4 pm at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home in Fargo, ND.