Howard Olson

Howard M. Olson, 87, Fargo, ND, died Tuesday, October 28, 2008, at Villa Maria Care Center in Fargo, ND. Howard was born to Herman and Della (Walberg) Olson on April 22, 1921, in Sheldon, ND. He grew up on the family farm, attended a one-room country school, and was graduated from Sheldon High School. His college education began in the fall of 1938, at NDAC where he joined Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. His college education was interrupted by four years of military service. He was commissioned in the Navy as an Ensign in 1945 after attending Navy V-12 NROTC program at Tulane University in Louisiana. He concluded his naval service in 1946 as assistant navigator on the USS Fargo, leaving the service with rank of Lt Junior Grade. On August 17, 1946, he married Barbara N. Johnson of Boston, Mass. They then returned to Fargo, ND, to complete their college education. Howard was graduated from NDAC in 1948 with a BS in Agricultural Engineering. Following graduation, they moved to Logan, Utah, and Howard received his Masters of Irrigation Engineering from Utah State University. Howard began his professional career as an agricultural engineer with the Bureau of Reclamation, Garrison Project. He was a research agricultural engineer with the Agricultural Research Service, Northern Great Plains Field Station in Mandan and superintendent of the Williston Dryland and Irrigation Branch Experiment Stations, until developing the Carrington Station in 1960. While living in Carrington, Howard was very active in the Federated Church and was also a school board member for nine years. Throughout his career, Howard has been the recipient of many awards including the NDSU Honored Alumnus Award, Agriculturist of the Year from the NDSU chapter of Alpha Zeta, the Garrison Conservancy District’s Mr. Irrigation Award, and an Honorary Doctorate of Science from NDSU. In honor of Howard Olson, a new variety of hard red spring wheat was developed and given his name “Howard”. After retirement as superintendent of Carrington Station in 1986, Howard and Barbara moved to Fargo and joined Calvary United Methodist Church. He continued his close association with NDSU by participating in numerous campus activities. He is survived by his wife, Barbara of Fargo; his daughters, Cynthia (David) Blevins of Powell, WY and Priscilla (Donald C.) Giffey of Roseglen, ND; and son Paul (Nancy) of Fargo, ND; seven grandchildren; seven great-children; two brothers, Marvin of Galt, CA and Arland of Kindred, ND; and one sister Ardith (Don) Baer of Vermillion, SD. Howard was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Belvedere Warner. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to NDSU Foundation or Calvary United Methodist Church Building Fund. Memorial Service: Saturday, November 1, 2008, at 11:00 AM, at Calvary United Methodist Church, Fargo, ND. Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church.