*RESCHEDULED DATES DUE TO WEATHER

Funeral services will be 2PM Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Centerville, SD with burial to follow at Holland Cemetery.  Visitation will be 5-7PM Tuesday at Wass Funeral Chapel in Centerville with a prayer service at 7PM.

James Leroy Olson was born September 14, 1930 in rural Centerville, South Dakota to Martin and Mabel (Andahl) Olson. He died January 8, 2024 at the Centerville Care & Rehab Center at the age of 93 years, three months and 24 days.

Jim was raised on the family farm near Centerville and attended Midway Country School. He graduated from Centerville High School in 1948. Jim served in the US Army and had his orders to go to Korea when his dad fell ill and he returned to work on the farm with an honorable discharge.

He was married to Neoma Jean Kirkham on January 6, 1952 at Vangen Lutheran Church in Mission Hill, SD. They were blessed with five children. Jim farmed until the late 1980's when he suffered his first heart attack. He worked as a custodian at the University of South Dakota in the Akeley Laurence Science Center and the Al Neuharth Media Center.

Always an avid sports fan, Jim loved attending his grandchildren's activities as well as all the Centerville Tornadoes sports, and watching the Green Bay Packers.

He and Jean moved to the Centerville Care Center in November of 2019.

He is survived by his two sons, Jim Jr. (Rita) of Viborg and John (Teri) of Sioux Falls; two daughters, Barb Ramos and Linda (Steven) Holmberg all of Centerville; grandchildren, Rebbecca Brown, Jesse Olson, Roxanne (Chad) Davis, Rachel (Tony) Anderson, TJ (Colleen) Olson, Erin (Chris) Zielinski, James (Amy) Ramos, Melissa (Ryan) Lefers, Bradley (Nicole) Holmberg, Gregory (Sara) Holmberg, Kevin (Allison Jutras) Holmberg and Brett (Bree) Holmberg; 27 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 70 years, Jean; son, Richard; granddaughter, Linda Kay Ramos; four brothers, Don Olson, Melvin Olson, two infant brothers, Arnold and Robert Olson; and two sisters, Arlene Dwyer and Mary Ellen Gross.