Darrell Duane Olson passed away peacefully at the age of 77 years old with his family by his side at Essentia Health Hospital, Fargo, ND on Saturday, September 19, 2026. Darrell was born in Detroit Lakes, MN to Clarence Gordon Olson and Laverne Ruth Olson on July 19, 1949. He grew up and spent his life in Height of Land Township. He attended country school until the 6th grade where he and his brother had to walk up hill both ways. He was confirmed June 6, 1965 by Charles A. Fritz at Immanuel Lutheran Church of Osage, MN. Darrell finished his schooling at Frazee High School and Graduated May 25th class of 1967. He continued his education and attended Detroit Lakes Area Vocational-Technical School in Detroit Lakes, MN and Graduated July 3rd, 1969, with a diploma in Architectural Drafting.

From 1970-1972, Darrell served in the United States Army where he did basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO and then was sent to Pleiku, Vietnam where he did two tours there as an Artillery Surveyor with the Fire Direction Center of the 92nd Artillery Battalion located on Artillery Hill near Pleiku, Vietnam and was honorably discharged in 1976 and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal W/2 Stars, Vietnam Camapign Medal W/60 Device and Army Commendation Medal. He was very proud to have served his country.

On October 8, 1977, he married Vernette Elzada Brogren at Grace Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes, MN and they were blessed with two sons, Justin and Jared.

Thoughout his younger years growing up he farmed with his Dad and brother Larry. He told many stories about farming and how they would haul hay across Big Toad Lake during the winter time using horses to go across the lake. Another time when he was around 5 years old, he climbed up on the wagon and gave the horses a whip and around the farmyard they went and his dad had to chase them down but not before they had ran over his tricycle.

He worked for the Coke-Cola bottling plant in Detroit Lakes, MN, the carnival where he operated the Tilt a Whirl ride, Victory Homes in Pelican Rapids, MN, Vernon Brogren Construction of Detroit Lakes, MN and in 1980 he started Olson Brothers Construction with his brother Larry. They worked side by side for 35 years until they both retired in 2015. He was very proud of all the projects they had done together and loved to take his grandkids around the countryside and show them. He loved and enjoyed his grandkids and had many adventures with them. He enjoyed deer hunting with his family and lutefisk at Christmas.

Darrell is survived by his Son, Justin (Missy) Olson of Frazee, MN; Grandchildren; Alex Olson (Paige), Carli Olson, William Olson, Elizabeth Olson, Stetson Olson, Rice Olson; Great Grand Children; Wren Olson, Dawson Olson; Brother; Larry (Laurie) Olson of Detroit Lakes, MN and Sister in Law Laurie Olson of Washington; Brother in laws; Jim Sr. (Mary Ann) Brogren of Detroit Lakes, MN; Vernon Jr. “Butch” (Karla) Brogren of Detroit Lakes, MN; Jerry (Late Toni) Brogren of Detroit Lakes, MN; Nephews; Jim Brogren Jr., Brian Brogren, Shannon (Teresa) Brogren, Jason (Arlene) Brogren, Corey (Angie) Brogren, Bob (Shelly) Brogren, John Worden and Scott Worden; Ross and Ryan Olson; Niece: Kristi (Jeff) Schlauderaff, and many Cousins.

Darrell was proceeded in death by his wife Vernette (Brogren) Olson; son Jared Olson; his parents Clarence Olson, Laverne (Wothe) Olson. Father-in-law Vernon Sr. Brogren and Mother-in-Law Elzada (Fagerlie) Brogren