Lyle Olson

Lyle Kenneth Olson, 91, Fargo, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 17, 2025 at Pioneer House with his wife LaVerne by his side. They were inseparable until the end.

Lyle was born May 7, 1933 to Oscar and Alma (Dahlstrom) Olson, in Kindred, ND to a family that included 14 children. He grew up in Horace, ND where he met the love of his life and future wife, Laverne (Bullis). They married on February 7, 1953.

Lyle joined the Army at age 19 and served in Germany during the Korean War. After returning from service he held a few different jobs but found his career when he started operating heavy construction equipment. He was a proud member of Operating Engineers Local 49 for over 60 years, and worked almost his entire career, over forty years, at Northern Improvement Company. He could do it all but was the best crane operator most had ever seen, helping build and tear down many buildings in Fargo, Moorhead, and throughout North Dakota and Minnesota. He was so good that after he retired, they sold the crane – no one could have replaced him. His best and favorite job though was Dad and Grandpa to his 3 children and 5 grandchildren. He adored them as they did him. He played many games with them (lots of pinochle), happily ate many burnt cookies as his daughter learned to bake (he called them dunkers), and taught (or tried to teach) them all so many things about cars, construction, home improvements, and many other things – he could do it all!

After retirement, he and LaVerne wintered in Florida for 18 years. During these years they loved spending time with his brothers and sisters who had also retired there, hosting the kids and grandkids for visits and visiting the small communities up and down the Gulf Coast. LaVerne loved rooting Lyle on as he won his shuffleboard championship! He was a hard worker all his life, only slowing down after his last heart surgery in 2019. They moved to Pioneer House in January of 2021.

He was preceded in death by his parents and 11 of his siblings. He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 72 years, LaVerne; son Steve (Kimberly) and their son Bryan; daughter Teresa (Jon) Bachmeier and their son Chase; and son Tim (Jackie) and their daughters Lenora, Vivian, and Eloise. He is also survived by sisters Olive Lien, Darlene (Allan) Ziegler, and Glennda (Kenny) Nicholson and many nieces and nephews. He was a wonderful man who we will miss dearly.

Special thank you to the staff at Pioneer House for their friendship and care of Dad over the past 4 years and the home health nurses who also took care of him.

As per Lyle’s request, a private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Honor Flight of North Dakota and Minnesota or Homes for our Troops.

Think of Lyle as you have a piece of cake, a bar or a cookie as there was rarely a treat he didn’t like!