Obituary for Duane Rueben Olson
Duane was born February 5, 1930 on the family farm in Logan Center, North Dakota, the son of Thomas and LouElla (Evanson) Olson. He attended school in rural North Dakota and graduated from Northwood School.
Duane married Doris Jacobson on May 12, 1951 at her parent's farmhouse in Steele County, North Dakota. Duane and Doris were blessed with four children, eleven grandchildren, and seventeen great-grandchildren. Duane will always be remembered by his family for his love of his church and pastor's spirit. Holidays were often filled with discussions about Christ and sharing blessings from the prior year. He enjoyed these gatherings as much as he enjoyed fellowship with his church family.
Duane served in the US Air Force from 1951 to 1974 as a Load Master. He was raised in the Lutheran Faith as a child, but in 1963 while stationed in Anchorage, Alaska, Duane and Doris attended a revival service that changed his life forever. After being filled with the spirit, Duane and Doris dedicated their life to witnessing and pastoring. While in the Air Force, Duane shared his love for God with his friends and colleagues all throughout the world. Upon retiring, Duane and Doris attended Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas, Texas, graduating in 1976. The two moved to North Dakota for a brief time to start a church plant. After much prayer and consideration, they moved to Altus, Oklahoma where they continued their ministry. Duane worked at Flight Safety on Altus Air Force Base as an instructor in loadmaster training. Together with Doris, they founded Grace Chapel in 1983 where Duane served as Pastor until his retirement in 1996.
Through Grace Chapel and their travels, Duane was able to meet and love many people from many walks of life. He often prayed for those that he had met several years prior and always enjoyed the opportunity to visit with old friends about the changes that God had made in their families and lives.
Duane's surviving family include his two daughters, Deanne Clayborn and husband, James, of Fort Worth, TX, and Karen Smaaland and husband, Larry, of Altus, OK; daughter-in-law, Amalia Olson of Altus, OK; son, Jonathan Olson of Altus, OK; his grandchildren, Lonny Ivey and Darby Garcia of Altus, Amber Barton and husband, Dennis, of Waynesville, MO, Sarah Woods and husband, Brian, of Duncan, Jesse Smaaland and wife, Ashton, of Altus, Thomas Olson of Olustee, Alberto Lorenia Mendez of Maricopa, AZ, Victor Mendez and wife, Paloma, of Mexicali, Baja, Mexico, Maria Fernanda Mendez and husband, Ryan Newhardt, of The Village, Brandon Olson and Kayla Hinkle of Norman, and Michael Olson and Kaitlin Long of Altus; and his great-grandchildren, Kiersten, Christian, Hannah, Grant, Jase, Albertito, Aiden, Nash, Alvarito, Alan, Eva, Ana Paloma, Imalyn, Brayden, Rowin, Boone, and Imrie.
He is preceded in death by his wife; parents; a sister, Vidette; a brother, Lewis James; infant sister, LolaAnn; a son, Mark; and a grandson, Davis.
Visitors, family in Christ, and loved ones will be welcomed to visit with the family from 6:30 to 7:30 PM Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at the Lowell-Tims Funeral Home. Funeral services to celebrate his presence with Christ (II Cor 5:8) will be 2:00 PM Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at the Lowell-Tims Funeral Home Chapel with Amalia Olson and Chaplain Erin Martinez officiating. Following the service, Duane will be laid to rest, with Air Force Honors, next to the love of his life at the Altus City Cemetery.
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Previous Events
Visitation
Tuesday
7
May
6:30 PM
- 7:30 PM
Lowell-Tims Funeral Home
1100 East Tamarack Road
Altus, OK 73521
Funeral
Wednesday
8
May
2:00 PM
Lowell-Tims Chapel
1100 East Tamarack Road
Altus, OK 73521
Interment
Wednesday
8
May
3:00 PM
Altus City Cemetery
2400 E. Falcon Road
Altus, OK 73521
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