A memorial service for Irene Olson, 74, of McLaughlin, SD, is 11:00 a.m. CT, Wednesday, June 1, 2016, at Redeemer Lutheran Church of McLaughlin. Burial at the McLaughlin City Cemetery under the direction of the Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge, SD. Visitation will be Tuesday, May 31, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. CT, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m., at the Kesling Memorial Chapel. Irene passed away on Thursday, May 26, 2016, at the Mobridge Regional Hospital.

Irene Marcella (Hauck) Olson was born to Christ Hauck Jr. and Molly (Walker) Hauck on July 24, 1941, in Selfridge, ND. Shortly after Irene was born the family moved to their homestead 14 miles north east of McLaughlin where she attended Butte School until the 8th grade and then attended McLaughlin High School where she graduated in 1960. After graduation she ventured out to Denver and took a job as a telephone operator. In 1961, Irene came back to McLaughlin where she worked at the Western Bar and Vi's cafe. While working at the cafe she met her future husband, Norman Olson. After 7 years of courtship they were married on November 2, 1968 at the Redeemer Lutheran Church in McLaughlin. To this union they were blessed with three daughters: Linette Kay, Lana Jean, and Latara Beth.


Norman and Irene made their home 7 miles south west of McLaughlin where they engaged in farming and ranching. Irene would be found milking cows, chasing pigs, butchering chickens, driving tractor, tagging calves and raising sheep just to name a few of her many chores. Between her farm duties she operated the Shady Lane Drive Inn, managed the McLaughlin Liquor Store, head cook at the McLaughlin Senior Center, head cook at the McLaughlin School, and her final job was cooking at the Standing Rock School District until she was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. Above all, the job that brought her the most joy was being a mother to her 3 daughters and a grandmother to her 7 grandchildren.


In her spare time, she enjoyed meeting new people at the local casino, listening to Molly B and Polka Time with Norman, searching for new recipes on the computer, and getting together with "the girls" (Janice, Rosemary, and Deloris) for coffee and visiting. Irene always looked forward to the holidays where family and friends would gather at the farm to enjoy her home cooked meals and have card parties. Whether family or hired help, Irene never let anyone leave hungry. Most of all she enjoyed when the grandkids came to visit where they made lots of baked goodies and homemade ice cream.


She is leaving behind her husband of 47 years, Norman of McLaughlin. Daughters: Linette (Dale) Martian, Lana (Ken) Rau, and Latara (Jamey) Pateneaude all of Mobridge. Grandchildren: Lane (Kelli), Taten (Kacy), & Madison Rau; Brandi (Zach) and Dalton Martian; Porter and Payden Pateneaude all of Mobridge. Siblings: Donald (Kathy) Hauck of Mobridge, Jerry (Della) Hauck of McLaughlin; Deloris (Monte) Hauck of McLaughlin; Wayne (Debbie) Hauck of Grafton, ND. Sisters-in-law: Darlene (Richard) Michel of Black Hawk and Carol (Don) Olson of Aberdeen. Numerous nieces and nephews and her beloved dog, Echo.

She is preceded in death by her parents, mother and father-in-law Oscar and Edith Olson, sister and brother-in-law Myrna and Larry Jundt; niece Patty Hauck and nephew Richard Michel.