Harley Brent Olson

Harley Brent Olson, the last of the Olson boys, answered “yes” when the Lord called him home on July 10, 2026, at Sunnyside Care Center in Lake Park, Minnesota. His sister, June, along with other family members and friends, were by his side during his final moments.

Harley was born August 10, 1943, the fifth child of Ernest and Elsie (Reese) Olson. Although the family called Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, home, Harley was born in Van Nuys, California, where his dad worked at Lockheed Aircraft during World War II. He graduated from Detroit Lakes High School in 1961 and earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from North Dakota State University in 1965.

Harley put his engineering skills to work in a variety of ways over the years. With the help of several nephews, he built granaries throughout the area. He also spent a couple of years working for Jackman Industries as an engineer in Ohio before returning home to Detroit Lakes. One of his favorite projects was calculating the fill needed for the Detroit Lakes beachfront beautification project from the Pavilion to the American Legion. Upon completing that project, Harley traded engineering for a mailbag and began delivering mail. What started as a substitute rural mail carrier position quickly became a career.

For 25 years, Harley faithfully served customers on what was then the largest rural mail route in Minnesota. Retirement didn’t slow him down. Instead, he spent the next 19 years delivering Meals on Wheels, continuing his quiet habit of helping others.

For many years, Harley would take his nephews out for a “boys’ day,” doing whatever fun things he and they could muster—including a requisite trip to “Gooseberry Island,” to collect a crop. He was also a reliable source of cookies and snacks for his nephews and nieces, always having them freely available in his kitchen drawers.

Harley was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church, where he sang in the choir, ushered whenever asked, and was always willing to lend a hand. If the church doors were open and someone needed help, there was a good chance Harley would be there.

When Harley wasn’t working or volunteering, there were two places you could find him: on a golf course or in his garden. Golf scores were optional—spending time with friends was the real goal. And while many people admired his tomatoes, potatoes, and sweet corn, Harley probably admired them just a little bit more. His garden was his pride and joy, and every year he generously shared its harvest with people in need.

Harley loved walking his farm, checking on his fruit trees, and researching Minnesota history. He enjoyed taking road trips to explore historical sites, such as the Lost Forty forest and the Kensington Runestone. He was naturally curious, always eager to learn something new, and never passed up an opportunity to explore.

Harley lived a simple life with clear priorities: God, family, helping others, gardening, and—if we’re being honest—making sure he could squeeze in a round of golf whenever possible. If heaven has a garden that always needs tending and a golf course with perfectly forgiving greens, Harley is probably already keeping both in great shape.

Harley is survived by his sisters, June Knopp of Minnesota and Sharon Davidson of Ohio; many beloved nieces and nephews; and his foster siblings, all of whom will miss his kindness, generosity, gentle spirit, and quiet sense of humor.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Elsie Olson; his grandparents; his brothers Duane, Loren, Paul, and Keith; and nephew, David Knopp.

Harley will be remembered not for seeking attention, but for quietly making life better for the people around him. Whether he was delivering mail, delivering meals, sharing vegetables from his garden, singing in church, or enjoying a day on the golf course with friends, he left a lasting impression through his kindness, faith, generosity, and servant’s heart.

Funeral services will begin at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 15th at Zion Lutheran Church, 1100 Lake Ave, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota with a luncheon, and a celebration of Harley’s life immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Harley’s name to Zion Lutheran Church or Meals on Wheels.