"So sorry won't be able to be at Tom's funeral. He was such a nice guy and both Larry and I enjoyed times we spent with him at Bible study and other church activities. We sure missed you both when you left Springs. Was going to send card but don't have current address. Hope to see you sometime soon Rose Carson bible s"
In loving memory of
Thomas R. "Tom" Olsen
June 10, 1947 - March 5, 2025
Livestream Link for Saturday, March 8, 2025 (Set to begin streaming at 9:55 AM): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55Idwu96xl0
Thomas R. "Tom" Olsen of Ames, IA and formerly of Wessington Springs and Sioux Falls, SD, died March 5, 2025 at the age of 77.
Memorial Services for Tom Olsen will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Collegiate United Methodist Church, 2622 Lincoln Way, in Ames with Visitation beginning at 9:00 AM.
There will also be a Memorial Service at 10:30 AM on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Asbury United Methodist Church, 2425 South Western Avenue, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with Visitation beginning at 9:30 AM. Tom's Ashes will be interred at Hills of Rest Memorial Park in Sioux Falls.
Tom was born June 10, 1947, in Sioux Falls, SD to Melvin and Thelma (Sorensen) Olsen of Alcester, SD. The family moved to a ranch east of Gann Valley, SD in 1949 where he completed grade school. He lived with his grandma, Mollie Sorensen, in Wessington Springs where he graduated high school in 1964. After receiving a degree in mathematics from South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD where he completed Air Force ROTC, he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the USAF. Upon completion of pilot training at Reese AF Base in Lubbock, TX, he received further training in the HC-130 and was stationed at Clark AFB in the Philippines and Hamilton AFB in California in rescue squadrons. He served until 1973, having obtained the rank of Captain, and joined his dad's farming operation in the Wessington Springs/Lane area.
Tom was united in marriage to Michele Stearns June 19, 1977, in Canton, SD. After living in Lane for two years, they moved to the farm in 1979 where they raised two children. He raised cattle until 1988, moved into Wessington Springs in 1998, and continued crop farming until 2006. He served Farm Bureau at the county level, as state vice president and a charter member of Farm Bureau Bank Board of Directors. He also held positions with Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board, SD Crop Improvement Association, South Dakota Board of Regents, SD Corn Growers Association, South Dakota Community Foundation, Farm Service Agency State Committee, and South Dakota State University Foundation.
Tom was elected to the Wessington Springs Board of Education, Area Community Foundation and Development Corporation Boards and City Council and served as Township Clerk. He was a member of the United Methodist Church, American Legion, VFW, and Community Club. In 1992 he was recognized as Wessington Springs Area Business Person of the Year and received the Lusk Award for Volunteer in Agriculture from the Huron Plainsman in 1999. Tom enjoyed traveling, reading and playing golf, bridge, tennis and pickleball.
Tom and Michele spent winters in Sun City Grand, Surprise, AZ from 2004 to 2022. They moved to Sioux Falls in 2011 and Ames, IA in 2023.
Survivors include his wife, Michele; son Grant and his wife Amanda of Ames, IA; daughter Maren Cushman and her husband Matthew of Cottonwood, AZ; grandsons Caden and Alex Olsen; granddaughter Emma Cushman; step-grandsons Damian and Riley Cushman; and his brother Roger of Sequim, WA. Tom was preceded in death by an infant sister, his parents, and sister Mary Ann Kidman.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Wessington Springs Area Community Foundation, PO Box 157, Wessington Springs, SD 57382; Children's Home Society, 801 N Sycamore Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57110; the Alzheimer's Association or the American Parkinson Disease Association.
Tributes
"Michele and family- There are so many great memories with you and Tom, both through SDCF and Springs connections. Beverly?s utmost trust in both of you was witness to each of you. Tom?s quiet and friendly demeanor was always calming. Many thoughts and prayers. Tona Rozum"
"Michele - I was so sorry to hear about Tom?s passing. He was such a wonderful person and will be missed by many. I will be saying prayers for you and your family! Jayna Voss"
"Michelle and family, Our hearts and prayers are with you as you walk Tom home. We have missed the immaculate and impeccable Tom walking by our home daily. Always a small smile and a wave of acknowledgement. We wish we had known you both longer as you both have added so much enrichment to the lives of others. Tom clearly left earth a better place. Bless you all. Kathy and Ray Trankle"
"Michelle and family - We enjoyed meeting both you and Tom during Tom's and my overlapping service on the board of the South Dakota Community Foundation. Dependable and solid are words I think of when recalling Tom. About 17 years ago, I called Tom to accompany me and two friends to a land auction in Jerauld County (on a Saturday morning) Tom's steadfast calm demeanor and judgment were important factors in what has become a 17-year (and counting) journey as land-owners and pheasant hunts in Jerauld County. God Bless you and Tom and your extended family. Mark and Cynthia Mickelson"
"Our condolences to the family. We enjoyed knowing Tom and Michelle when they live in Sun City Grand. John & Becky Olson"
"Michelle and family, we are saddened to hear of Tom's passing but know that he is in a better place with the Lord. Tom's faith and character were exemplary and admired by his many friends, fellow Air Force patriots, family, and professional colleagues. There is no doubt that Tom's mathematics training was instrumental in his calculated assessment of complex problem analysis and common sense solutions. As fellow ROTC students at SDSU, and a memorable month of ROTC summer camp at Richards Gebaur AFB in Kansas City with fellow classmate Bob Peterson will forever be remembered. Tom's contributions to the SDSU Foundation Board were greatly apprecited. His many leadership roles in South Dakota agriculture and the South Dakota Board of Regents are legendary and admired. Our thoughts and prayers are with Michelle and Tom's family during the coming days and weeks. May Tom rest in peace with our loving Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
"Michele, we are so sorry for you and family. Tom will be a wonderful guardian angel. We so enjoyed the many laughs with the both of you. Miss our times together."
"Michelle and family, We ask the Lord to protect and comfort you. Tom was one of the finest gentleman I have ever worked with in my career with Farm Bureau. His service to so many worthwhile groups and organizations is a tribute to him and an excellent example for others to replicate. May his soul rest in peace. Michael and Barrie Held "
"We were so sorry to read about Tom's passing but so glad he is living with his Lord now. What a wonderful life he had and so many accomplishments. We so enjoyed getting to know you both as neighbors and Tom and Bruce had many great conversations. We will not be in Sioux Falls in March so will be unable to attend the service but please know you have our deepest sympathy. "
"Dear Michele, We are thinking of you at this difficult time. It's hard to say "goodbye" to a loved one. Tom was a special person and accomplished much for SD State and many other groups. It was great to be neighbors with you. Peace and Hugs, Marilyn and Tom Gannon"
"Receiving the news of Tom's passing today left me with feelings of both sadness and happiness. Happiness because he is now released from the clutches of his dreaded sickness but sadness because I will miss him. Tom and I met in October 1989 when he attended his first Regents meeting and I attended the same meeting as my first as CEO of the Board. We developed a strong professional relationship as well as on a personal level. We clocked a lot of windshield time in SD. I can honestly say I have not met a finer man than "TO". He was wise with a reasoned mind. We are both math majors and he knew how to distill an issue to the main points. He was kind. And as CEO of the Board, his fearlessness in working through a particularly difficult issue to the right conclusion was so important to me and the work of the Board. He was steady and dependable. May God's grace be plentiful to Michele, Grant, and Maren as you work through this difficult time, Howell W. Todd Exec Dir/CEO SD Board of Regents 1989-94 Clarksburg, Tennessee "