Calvin Olson was born February 27, 1951 in Madison, SD to Floyd and Pauline (Coates) Olson. He died February 16, 2012 at his home in Alcester, SD at the age of 60 years, 11 months and 19 days. Cal was raised and attended school in Sioux Falls and Garretson prior to enlisting in the US Marine Corp when he was 17. He served four years with the 3rd Division and received citations including the Vietnam Gallantry Cross. Following his honorable discharge, Cal worked at various jobs in many states including being a commercial building painter and as a ward clerk for the VA Hospital in Sioux Falls. He was forced to retire due to health reasons. Cal married Wendy Schempp January 8, 2001. Together they lived in Chamberlain, Phoenix, Rapid City and Alcester. He was proud of his time serving in the USMC and was a member of the 40 & 8 and Legion Post 22; he had a great sense of humor and loved children. Cal was a fisherman and loved to reel friends in with a good story. He wrote cowboy poetry, was very generous, sometimes to a fault, and had the gift of being a great cook. He is survived by his wife, Wendy Schempp of Alcester; son, Chad Olson of Phoenix; daughters, Nikki (Alex) Runft of Phoenix, Tara Marshall of Rapid City and Daylena Lambert of Riverton, WY; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild; brother, David (Deb) Olson of Farmington, MN; five sisters, Vernita Clyde of Richardson, TX, Donna (Elwood) Wilson and Paula (Duane) Cramer all of Sioux Falls, Karen (Bill) Hood of Canton and Dawn (Paul) Jerdonek of Akron, OH; and numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends. His parents and son, Isaak, preceded him in death. The family requests memorials to 40 & 8 Grand du SD Child Welfare Fund, 23046 Radar Hill Road, Rapid City, SD 57703. Funeral services for Cal will be 2PM Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at Big Springs Baptist Church, rural Alcester, SD. Visitation will be 2-8PM Monday at Wass Funeral Home in Alcester with the family present from 5-7PM.