Richard "Mr. Lister" Olson

Richard (Dick) Darrell Olson, 81, peacefully entered eternal life on Oct. 18, 2016, with his beloved wife of 60 years at his side, at CHI St. Alexius Health. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 am Monday, Oct. 24 at Church of Corpus Christi, 1919 N 2nd St., Bismarck, with Rev. Paul Becker officiating, followed by lunch and a burial at 1 p.m. at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm -6:00 pm Sunday, October 23, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a vigil/rosary will begin at 6:00 pm. Dick was born Nov. 11, 1934, in Rugby, N.D., to Rex and Selma Olson. He graduated from West Fargo High School. His rich baritone voice earned him a scholarship to Concordia College, but he ultimately chose the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. He played football in high school and college. He was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega (ATO) fraternity. Dick married the love of his life, Jean (Wambach) shortly after they met at a dance at Halstad, Minn., Dick served as first lieutenant in the U.S. Army Armor division, in the Brave Rifles unit, on border patrol in Germany, where his first daughter, Julie, was born. Military service took Dick and Jean to live in Fort Knox, Ky., Hamburg, Germany; and Fort Meade, Md. After leaving military service, Dick and Jean moved to Minot, N.D., where Dick was a claims adjuster with Farmer's Insurance. Later, Dick bought an insurance agency in Grand Forks, N.D. After several years, Dick was asked by Farmer's Insurance to become the branch claims manager in Bismarck. He and Jean influenced the faith life of youth in the community through their involvement with Young Life. They hosted many faith gatherings in their home. He and Jean were part-owners of Snoopy's Pizza parlor in Bismarck and owned a firework stand that delighted friends and neighbors on Kavaney Drive. His primary career was in real estate which earned him the nickname "Mister Lister." In 1979, Dick and Harlan Heinsohn started Pioneer Realty. Their vision helped them develop the city of Lincoln, N.D. with other builders. In 1985 Dick went to work with Bill Bianco at Bianco Realty where he was "Realtor of the Year" for many years. In 2000 he became part-owner of Alliance Real Estate. He was especially grateful for his business partner, Jan Hoge. Fishing in Lac La Ronge, Canada, with son, Mike, was Dick's idea of heaven on earth. Every day was a perfect day to fish. He was a longtime member of the adult choir at Corpus Christi where he and Jean were charter members. He attended daily Mass at CHI St. Alexius Health and Saturday Mass at Cathedral. Dick also enjoyed singing in the Bismarck-Mandan Civic Chorus. A devoted fan of the University of Mary Marauders, Dick was honored with a special seat at the basketball games after being named "Fan of the Year." He was also a fan of the UND Fighting Sioux. Dick was famous for telling jokes, playing cards at the Bismarck Elks Club with his friends, and was a master at crossword puzzles. Dick adored his wife, Jean, who made every holiday magical. He appreciated her Christmas trees and lights, the special way she decorated to make the house festive, and the tender care she took of him during his illness. Dick will be deeply missed by his loving wife, Jean, daughters, Julie (Gary) Aman; Jill (Tom) Ackerman; son, Michael Olson; all of Bismarck, sister Rita (Steve Holford) Sanders, Tempe, AZ; sisters-in-law Carol (Ron) Bodine, Bismarck, and Pru Olson, Fargo. He has five grandchildren, Matt (Cassidy) Schaefer and Jordan Schaefer, Aurora, Colo.; Halli, Hanna, Hunter Ackerman of Bismarck; and great-grandchildren Jace and Zak Schaefer, Aurora. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rex and Selma (Gronvold) Olson, an infant son, Jeffrey Olson, and brother Kenneth Olson. Memorials may be made to the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery, Bismarck.