David C. Olson

David Charles Olson, 83, of Elkhart, passed quietly from this world on Sunday, November 13, 2022 surrounded by love and family. 

David was born on April 30, 1939 in Saint Louis Park, MN to Reuben Selmer Olson and Agnes Carene (Peterson) Olson. On June 15th, 1968, David married Mary Margaret Houg. This was the start of a beautiful love story between the two of them that lasted over 53 years until Mary’s death on August 23, 2021. They created a wonderful life for their three daughters - Kristin (Jeffrey) Holmes and their sons Joseph and Brady, Juli (Terrance) Waggoner and their children Anna Waggoner, Jacob Nine, Logan (Shelby) Waggoner, Chase (Alexa) Waggoner, Zach (Morgan) Waggoner, Felicia (Mike) Nolt, and Dave’s youngest babydoll, Sarah Olson and her daughter Finley Dickinson. He also left eight precious great grandchildren, brother-in-law John Capra, sister-in-law Karen (Jim) Montgomery and sister-in-law Barbara Houg along with a niece and three nephews. Dave was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife, his sister, Mary E. Capra and his brother-in-law, Pastor Richard Houg. 

David was a wonderful example of how to show love. He was kind and charming. He was so funny and made secret faces to us to try to make us laugh. Dave loved Cheez-Its and cheap red wine. He was so smart. He could tell you obscure sports facts at the drop of a hat. He knew cars and could quote specific details from his precious Hemmings Auto book instantly. Dave loved sports but especially Notre Dame football, Minnesota Golden Gophers football and his wonderful and incredibly talented Minnesota Vikings. (They won the day Dave died in “the game of the century” …we wholeheartedly believe that Dave had a hand in the win!) Dave had a deep love for fishing, too. His boat, the Fishhawk, was his pride and joy. He may or may not have had a brief period of his life where boxes of lures purchased from eBay showed up daily. We are sure he didn’t hide any from Mary. Dave loved going to Cass Lake, MN with Mary in their motor home and spending time on the water fishing and hanging out with his best girl. He instilled in his family that same love of Cass Lake and we spent many years enjoying beautiful Minnesota summer days together. 

Dave Olson was a salesman. “Big D” to many of his peer and customers, he loved the RV world he worked in for most of his life. Throughout the 70s and 80s, Dave worked for some of the biggest names in the RV or automotive world- Chrysler, American Motors, Winnebago in the Itaska Division, and Airstream. In 1982, the Olson Family moved to Elkhart, IN. The RV capitol of the world. He worked for Sportscoach, Mallard and finally, Damon/Thor. He ended his career to spend time with Mary and his girls and their families. After a year or so, Dave had built all the shelves Mary could ever need, he had been fishing, played Farkle (he could add really fast, so he had to be the scorekeeper), taken a lot of naps—Dave was bored. So, in hardworking Dad fashion, Dave came out of retirement to work at Total Value RV. He loved the connection with customers. He had fun selling over and over again to the same customers and many of them became dear friends of his. Some of the best people in the Olson family’s lives are because of the partnerships and connections made in the RV World and we will be forever grateful to him for that. 

Dave wasn’t just a wonderful husband, a great dad, a loving Poppy, and good friend. He was a strong believer in his Lutheran faith. He was a gentleman. He was a really good man. 

The visitation for David Olson will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2022 from 11-1 p.m. with a funeral service at 1pm at Grace Lutheran Church at 831 W. Marion St, Elkhart, IN 46516. 

The family asks that any memorial donations in his name go to Grace Lutheran Church where the Olson’s were members for over 35 years. 

Arrangements for David are under the care of Billings Funeral Home, Elkhart. Condolences may be made online at www.billingsfuneralhome.com

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