Bernard "Sonny" Olson

Bernard “Sonny” Olson, passed away on July 17, 2024 at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held together with his wife’s service, Judi Olson, at 4:00 PM, on Sunday, June 22, 2025 at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton, SD. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Sonny was born to Harold and Faye (Howard) Olson on December 20, 1935. Sonny‘s family lived in Fort Dodge, IA for many years, and he was a proud “Flat Rat”. Eventually Sonny moved to California where he married Karen Jack in 1955. They had three children: Cindy, Judy and Joe. Sonny and Karen eventually divorced.

Sonny moved back to Fort Dodge in 1980 where he laid carpet for many years at Jim’s Floor Covering. He met Judi (Lane) Heggestad and they were married in June of 1983. After both of Judi’s daughters graduated, they moved to California. Sonny continued to lay flooring there until he retired in 1990. Then Sonny and Judi returned to the Midwest and moved to Yankton, SD.

Most days you could find Sonny helping someone or find him in his workshop building something – anything from shelves to highchairs to grandfather clocks. He loved doing that for his friends and family. He was very active in AA. He enjoyed fishing and morning coffee with his friends. In 2021, Sonny and Judi moved to Norwalk, IA to be closer to the girls.

Sonny leaves behind his daughters: Cindy Olson and Judy (Van) Shiota of Lodi, CA; his grandchildren: Shawna, Chelsea, Joshua, Joe Jr, Karen Rose, Jeremy and Jacob; four great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Sonny is also survived by his step daughters, Lyn Heggestad and Teresa (Corey) Ewing; and three step grandchildren, Curt (Kaylee) Knapp, Carter Ewing and Sondra (Jordan) Riggle.

Sonny was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Faye Olson; his son, Joe Olson; and his siblings: Shirley Wolters, Beverly Simmons, Darlene Phillips, Wayne Olson and Glen Olson.