Darryl Olson

1946 - 2015

Darryl Robert Olson, beloved husband of Marlene Olson, passed away peacefully in Calgary on Monday, November 9, 2015 at the age of 69 years. 

 The Funeral Service was held at the Heritage Inn, 4830 - 46 Avenue, Taber on Monday, November 16, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. A private committal service followed at the Taber Memorial Garden. 

 Darryl will forever be held in loving memory by his wife Marlene Olson (nee Kolody) as well as his children Kent Olson of Taber and Candice Olson (Wayne Reti) of Calgary. He will also be dearly missed by his grandchildren Wyatt and Makenna Reti. 

 He was predeceased by his parents Jack and Doris Olson and brother Ken Olson.

 Born on August 10, 1946, Darryl was raised, schooled, married and began his first business in Bow Island. Darryl purchased Peterson Transport at the age of twenty four years old and worked as a proud and dedicated owner/operator. He purchased Hart Transport in 1984 and moved his family to Taber. Darryl was known in the community for his business acumen. He was a man of his word; a man who meant what he said and said what he meant. To his family and friends he was known as a guide, mentor and a caring man who could always be counted on. He showed unending dedication and loyalty to the ones he loved. While receiving treatment at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre this summer, he quickly developed a reputation with the staff. Darryl was the happy, positive guy who made the nurses laugh, had a story to share and kept them stocked with corn throughout the corn season. 

 Darryl loved to drive a truck! After thirty years in business for himself, he retired and began driving for various potato farmers in and around the Taber community. Darryl lived for harvest season! When Darryl was not driving, he enjoyed spending time with his close-knit group of friends vacationing, playing cards and socializing. After a brief hiatus, he rediscovered his love for motorbikes and spent hours and hours ‘putting miles’ on his bike travelling with Kent. One of his favorite annual trips was to Sturgis, North Dakota. Darryl has also been a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks for forty six years and although he left Bow Island many years earlier, he was still able to attend Elks functions. 

 Although Darryl presented a strong outward persona, he was well known by those close to him as a kind and gentle man with a special affection for puppies and babies! For many years you would have been hard pressed to find Darryl driving through town without his four-legged buddy, Oscar; Darryl and Marlene’s bichon shih tzu. Two of his favorite little people arrived in 2009 and then in 2011 with the birth of his grandchildren Wyatt and Makenna. Papa, as he was known, loved to spend time with them. Papa liked to make the kids laugh and his favorite method was tickling. 

 If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Darryl’s name may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 - 29 Street N.W., Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N2.