Roy Olson

Services for Roy Olson, 58, of Groton will be 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 15th at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Groton. Pastor Elizabeth Johnson will officiate. Burial will follow in Groton Union Cemetery under the direction of Paetznick-Garness Funeral Chapel, Groton.

Visitation will be held at the church from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.

Roy passed away August 11, 2013 surrounded by his family at his home.

Roy Leonard Olson was born on Monday, May 23, 1955 to Maurice and Arlene (Nelson) in Aberdeen, South Dakota. He was baptized into the Christian faith at First English Lutheran Church on June 19, 1955. Roy grew up on the family farm at the north end of Main Street. He attended Groton Community School graduating in the class of 1973.

Roy confirmed his faith at Emmanuel Lutheran Church on May 25, 1969. He was a life-long active member of First English Lutheran which was renamed Emmanuel when the new church building was constructed. He served on the congregation council and twice was president of the congregation. Roy loved to sing and was a member of the church choir and held various other positions in the congregation.

Roy was united in marriage with Debra Hoops on May 21, 1983 at St. John's Lutheran church in Groton. They were blessed with two sons, Nicholas and Justin.

In the fall of 1973, Roy joined the water well drilling business with his father, Maurice. In the 1980s they branched out into the excavation business. Following Nick's graduation from college, Nick joined Roy in the business. Justin also worked with Roy after his graduation. Roy was a long-time member of the South Dakota Well Drillers Association and attended many continuing education events.

Roy took an active part in the Groton community. He was elected to two terms as Mayor serving from 2007 to 2013. He was a longtime member of the Groton Chamber.

Roy began the Olson Development in 2003. He turned pasture and cropland into a beautiful addition to Groton.

Roy is survived by his wife, Debra; as well as son Nicholas, and his wife Stephanie of Aberdeen; son Justin of Groton; a brother Phillip (Virginia)of Eldorado, IA; a sister Eileen (Ed) Brandt of Meridian, ID; stepmother Lila Olson, of Groton; mother-in-law Beulah Hoops, of Groton; nieces, nephews, cousins, many friends and his dog, Tucker.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Arlene on July5, 1982, his father, Maurice, on March 2, 2002and his father-in-law, Clifford Hoops on November 6, 2012.

Honorary Casketbearers will be City of Groton Employees & Members of the City Council.

Casketbearers will be Stan Knudsen, Terry Herron, Bill Stolle, Alan Strom, John Lowary and Greg Clocksene.

May his memory be blessed among us.

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