Daniel Olmstead

Dan Olmstead, 62, of West Fargo, ND, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family following a brief battle with lung cancer and pneumonia on Friday, October 28, 2011 at Sanford Health, Fargo, ND. Daniel Mark Olmstead was born September 19, 1949 in Grand Forks, ND to Patrick and Irene (Monson) Olmstead. They moved to Fargo, where he graduated from North High School in 1967. Dan served in the US Navy from 1968 to 1972 as a welder and shipfitter. He was stationed in Coronado, CA and served in the Vietnam War for one year. On November 15, 1969, Dan married Betty Bayer at First United Methodist Church in Fargo, ND. Initially, he worked for Meinike Johnson Construction Company, and later started his own contracting company. In the mid 80’s, Dan moved into the insurance business and was currently working as an independent agent. Dan enjoyed fishing, hunting, and traveling, but the real joy of his life was his 4 grandchildren. He was an active member of the West Fargo VFW Post #7564 and Rhame, ND American Legion. Dan is survived by his wife, Betty; daughter, Lori (Jason) Faleide, Casselton, ND; son, Chris (Amy Bernstein), Galchutt, ND; grandchildren, Abigail, Samuel, Emerson, and Sophia Faleide; mother, Irene Olmstead, Fargo, ND; siblings, Mark (LaDonna) Olmstead, Detroit Lakes, MN; Charles (Grietje) Olmstead, Saunderstown, RI; Trish (Wayne Ramsey)Olmstead, Fargo, ND, and Tim (Theresa) Olmstead, Fargo, ND; brother-in-law, Gerald (Janet) Drake, Washington; sisters-in-law, Frances (Enoch) Jenner, West Fargo, ND; and Delores Drake, Horace, ND; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, mother-in-law, Etta Thiessen, father-in-law, Frank Bayer; brother-in-law, William Drake; sisters-in-law, Tootie Banks, Joanne Ohnstad, and Maxie Wateland. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at Sanford Critical Care and Oncology Departments. Funeral Service: 11:00am, Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at First United Methodist Church, Fargo, ND. Visitation: 5:00-6:30pm, Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo. Prayer Service: 6:30pm, Tuesday, at the funeral home. Burial: Casselton Cemetery, Casselton, ND.