Rev. Dan G. Olson, 79, Sturgeon Bay passed away at Door County Medical Center on June 19, 2025. He was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa on September 24, 1945, to Gordon J. and Lucille (Knutson) Olson. Until age eleven he lived on the family farm near Humboldt, Iowa. During high school years he worked at a men’s clothing store and served as editor of the high school newspaper. After graduating from high school in Fort Dodge, he attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, receiving a BA in Classic and Ancient History in 1967. Dan married JendeanHegg a college classmate at Luther College, on August 6, 1967. He was devoted to her for 57 years and joins her in paradise with Christ.
In 1971, he was awarded a Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota and ordained at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Fort Dodge. Danserved three parishes including Star Prairie WI, Merrill, WI and retired from active ministry after serving for 16 years at Bay View Lutheran Church in Sturgeon Bay. Dan served as both member and president of the school boards in New Richmond, Merrill and Sturgeon Bay. He was an active member of the Rotary Breakfast Club and The Door County Historical Society.
As for hobbies over the years, Dan developed considerable culinary skills and amassed a library of thousands of books. During his college years Dan worked as well in both educational and commercial radio. He had a love for cars, pets, and technological gadgets. Dan was a deep thinker and always loved a spirited conversation. He found inspiration through scripture as a pastor and was a good and faithful servant to the Lord.
Survivors include his three children, Andrew Olson; Angela (Chad) Olson-Luberger and Aaron (Sarah) Olson; six grandchildren, Anika, Audrey, Aria, Anders, Elsa and Stanley; a sister in law, Ilene (Ray) Pavelko; a brother in law, John (Mary) Hegg and many nieces and nephews; his beloved dog, Halvor; He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, parents in law, John O. and Norma Hegg; two siblings, Bill Olson and Barbara (Thomas) Aspel and a niece, Katy Aspel.
Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 27, 2025, at Ephraim Moravian Church the Rev. Dawn E. Volpe officiating. Burial will be in Bayside Cemetery. Friends may call from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the Forbes Funeral Home and then after 10:00 am. Friday at the church until time of services. In-lieu, of flowers, memorials may be given to Lutheran World Relief or Ephraim Moravian Church. On-line condolences may be given to forbesfuneralhome.com
Special thanks to Pastor Dawn Volpe, Maria Sanchez and the staff at Door County Medical Center for their wonderful care and support.
