With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Wesley H. Olesen, 84,.
The chapters of his life were many; these are some of them.
Wesley entered this world in 1928 — the start of a journey that would span 85 years.
Wesley spent his working life as ['various farmers in the area'] and held deeply to the Presbyterian faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew him best.
What Wesley believed shaped how he loved.
Wesley Olesen, 84, died Sunday, June 16, 2013 at Avera Dougherty Hospice House, Sioux Falls. Funeral services will be 10:30am Thursday, June 20, 2013 at Harmony Presbyterian Church, Hurley with burial at Hurley Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 2:00pm Wednesday at the church with family present from 6-8:00pm. Arrangements by Hofmeister Jones Funeral Home, Parker. Wesley Holger Olesen was born on July 13th, 1928 on the family farm in rural Viborg to Holger & Anna Olesen. Wesley entered the United States Army in 1951 and was stationed in Japan until his discharge in 1953. He was married to Jenola Harms in Lennox, SD June 5th, 1953. Wesley and Jenola farmed west of Viborg for 7 years and then moved to Hurley in 1960. Wesley was employed with the South Dakota Department of Transportation for 29 years retiring in the spring of 1989. After his retirement, he worked for various farmers in the area. Wes enjoyed spending time with his family, working on his yard and making wood projects for family. In the summer of 2012, Wes & Jen moved to Primrose Retirement Community in Sioux Falls and then Wes was moved to Avera Dougherty Hospice until his passing. He was a member of Harmony Presbyterian Church in Hurley and a member of the Hurley American Legion for many years. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Jenola, their three children, Pamela (Mike) Staebell, Sioux Falls; Bryan (Cindy) Olesen, Freeman; Lisa (Todd) Buckstead, Boone, IA; 8 grandchildren, Sarah (Mike) Neufeld, Megan Staebell, Chris Schenkel, Jason (Dominque) Schenkel, Kelli (Tom) Broders, Katie (Tanner), Samantha & Zoe Buckstead; 2 step grandchildren, Dustin (Kym) Tschetter, Kylea (Brandon) Waltner; 11 great-grandchildren, Julia, Joseph, Thomas, Ellie, Brogun, Kendall, Riley, Easton, Aubree, Isabel & Addison and many friends and relatives. Wesley is also survived by one sister, Margie Bryant of Traverse City, MI and one brother-in-law, Wilbur Dykstra of Lennox. He was preceded in death by his parents, 4 sisters, Ruby Nelson, Erma Unruh, Opal Allen & Josephine Nielsen. Jen and family would like to thank the Avera Dougherty Hospice nurses and staff for all their wonderful care, compassion and prayers. It was a blessing to have dad in their care. Special thanks also to Pastor Lee Green for everything he has done for our family.
