Daniel Charles Olson
Daniel Charles Olson
July 9, 1952 - June 27, 2024
BUTTE - Daniel Charles Olson of Butte passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 27, 2024. Dan was born on July 9, 1952 in Butte, Montana. He was a loving husband, father, brother, and grandfather. Dan was born to William and Millicent Olson and attended Butte High School. Dan volunteered to join the Marine Corp at the age of 17 and proudly served during the Vietnam War, earning awards for excellence in service too many to list here. After serving his country, he returned home and married his high school crush, Marilyn Taylor. While raising a young family, Dan attended Montana Tech and graduated with a B.S. in Mathematics. From there, he embarked upon a long career as a database engineer. Dan was a self-made man. During the course of his distinguished career, he worked for the Montana Power Company before transitioning to Aerojet, a Redmond, Washington based company where Dan's work was instrumental in building the rockets used in the Mars Pathfinder Mission. Later, Dan worked at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation before retiring in 2012.
Above all else, Dan loved his children, his family, and his friends, all of whom he doted over, cared for, and would drop everything at a moment's notice to help. He loved Marilyn, his wife of 45 years, and their six children, thirteen grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Dan's heart was as big as the Big Sky under which he spent his youth, and he was fiercely devoted to his friends and family. Dan always saw the best in people and never said an unkind word about anyone. He faced many challenges throughout life and never once let that define him. Dan was iron-willed, undeterred, and unwavering. He was the rock to his family and was always sought after for his wise counsel. At his core, he was a proud marine and loved living life to the fullest. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and bowler. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Dan is preceded in death by his parents: William and Millicent Olson and in-laws: James and Alma Taylor.
Dan is survived by his wife, Marilyn; their daughters: Mindy Bowman (Mike Bowman), Tracy Byrnes (Tim Byrnes), Kathryn Olson, Laura McFarland (Jon McFarland), Penny Quinteros (Rodrigo Quinteros), and Jacquelyn Traini (Josh Traini); his siblings: Walter Olson, Jon Olson, Karen Plessas, Margie Larson, and Freddi Margolin. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Jordan, Taylor, Lexi, Sadie, Sydnie, Shelbie, Race, William, James, Madison, Daniel, Harper, Norah; and great-grandchildren: Jayden, Kingston, and Westyn.
Relatives and friends may call from 10:00a.m. to 11:00a.m. on Monday, July 8, 2024 at 11:00AM at St. Patrick's Parish at 329 W. Mercury St., Butte, MT. for visitations. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00a.m. followed by a memorial at 51 Below. Semper fidelis.
