W.P. "Pete" Olson, 103 of Ideal, SD passed away on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at his home in Ideal, SD.  Funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 21st 2017, at 10:30AM at the First Christian Church in Winner, SD.  Burial will follow at a later date.  Visitation will be held on Friday, January 20, 2017 from 6-7:00PM at the First Christian Church with a prayer service beginning at 7:00PM.

On January 17th,  one week shy of his 104th birthday, Weldon Peter "Pete" Olson passed away at his home surrounded by several members of his family.  Pete was born January 24th, 1913, on the family farm in Knox County Nebraska to Peter and Alma Olson.  He was the oldest of five children.

Pete was a smart child and his teachers recommended he skip the 6th grade.  He was later elected president of his class and graduated from Wausau, High School.   He moved to Tripp County to farm with his Uncle Frank Lundgren.

He married Ruth Mack on April 5, 1941 in Ainsworth, Nebraska and they enjoyed life together for 72 years.  Pete and Ruth enjoyed dancing to waltzes and polkas.   They decided on raising a large family.  They had 13 children and were blessed with lots of grandchildren and great grandchildren who loved to spend time on the family farm.  Pete enjoyed playing games such as Trivial Pursuit and cards with the family.   All of his life, Pete was an avid reader enjoying books on tape when his eyesight was too weak.  And, of course, he loved to rock the newest grandbaby.

Pete and Ruth moved to the farm in Ideal in 1947.  Pete became very active in the community serving on the school board, various boards at the Ideal Presbyterian Church, the Ideal Township board and the Ideal Tigers Country basketball team board. As a member of the school board, Pete helped to start the hot lunch program at the Ideal school.  He also loaded his car many times to transport students to Rosebud, SD, for dental and medical care.   Pete and Ruth enjoyed living and raising their children in such a supportive community.  Pete was able to go Christmas Eve Service at the Ideal Presbyterian Church in 2016 for his last venture from home.

Pete is survived by his children: Dorothy(Ken) Qualm, Torrington, WY; Mary(Gary) Engen, Moundsview, MN; George(Norma)Olson, Witten, SD; Susan(Bill) Zanin, Spicer, MN; Sandra Olson, Piedmont, SD; Carol Olson, Seabrook, TX; Avis(Perry) Clark, Lewisville, TX; Scott Olson, Ideal, SD; Marjorie(Wayne) Kindle, Yankton, SD; Heather(Mike) Johnson, Yankton, SD:  19 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, infant child, daughter Aggie, son Duane, and grandson Brad.