Ernest A. Olson, age 87, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at Jenkins Living Center in Watertown. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, October 3, 2011 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Watertown with the Reverend Steven Bailey officiating, and Reverend Terry Drew of the First Presbyterian Church in Castlewood officiating. Music will be furnished by Bruce Reinhardt, pianist and Kathy Allwin, soloist. Interment will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Watertown, SD. Military honors will be conducted by Codington County Post 17 of the American Legion and Frank H. Adams Post 750 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Watertown. Visitation will be from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday at the Wight, Comes & Sogn Funeral Chapel in Watertown, and on Monday prior to services at the church.

Pallbearers will be Abby Kucera, Michael Olson, Kelly Woldt, David Olson, Mark Olson and Daniel Olson.

Ernest Alfred Olson was born on February 22, 1924 to Alfred and Lena (Nielsen) Olson in rural Arlington, South Dakota. He was raised on the farm and attended country school near home. After he graduated from Bruce High School, Ernie was drafted into the United States Army. He served from 1943-1946 during World War II and was proud to have served in the Airborne Unit, Company B, 517th Regiment Combat Team in Europe. Ernie received the African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct medal and Bronze Arrowhead.

On June 11, 1951 he married Phyllis Ching in rural Castlewood, South Dakota. They made their home in Brookings, SD where Ernie was manager for Sears. In 1967 the couple moved to Watertown. Phyllis Olson passed away on January 23, 1999.

On October 19, 2000 he married Marilyn Buckley.

Ernie was a member of the Elks Club, American Legion, Lifetime member of the VFW, and was a Veteran Hospital volunteer for VA members.
He enjoyed golfing, traveling, remodeling homes he had lived in, and repairing automobiles.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 48 years, Phyllis; his second wife, Lillian; and four brothers, Roger and Orville Olson, George and James Brunick; and two sisters, Bernice Lodahl and Jeanette Ching.

Ernie is survived by his wife, Marilyn; his children, James and his wife Diane of Wyoming, MN, Gary and his wife, Cindy and Steve and his wife, Jane all of Watertown, SD, Sandra and her husband, Lenny Evangelisto of Aberdeen, SD; his stepchildren, Gene Buckley Jr. and his wife, Deb of Brookings, SD, Cindy Bass and her husband, Larry of Littleton, CO, Patty Tschetter and her husband, Joe and Paul Buckley and his wife, Joyce all of Brookings, SD, Jim Buckley of Sioux Falls, SD; one sister, Inez (James) Jacobs of Columbus, NJ; a sister-in-law, Lou Olson of Wilmar, MN; 11 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; and numerous step grandchildren and great grandchildren.