Ed Olson

Longtime educator and state legislator Ed Olson has passed away at the age of 75.  Olson, who was a New York native, graduated from Dakota Wesleyan University in 1970 and began his teaching career in Parkston that year.  He started teaching and coaching in the Mitchell School District in 1972, eventually becoming principal of Litchfield Elementary School in 1982.  Olson served in the South Dakota House of Representatives from 1987 until 1994 and in the South Dakota Senate from 2001 until 2008.  In his professional career, Olson was also the South Dakota Education Association Director, the Vice Chairperson of the South Dakota Legislative Research Council, and the Executive Director of the Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village.  He served on several regional boards as well.  Funeral services for Ed Olson will be held on Friday at 10:30 AM at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Mitchell with visitation on Thursday from 5-7 PM at the Bittner Funeral Chapel.