LeRue Olesen

Funeral services for LeRue “Buddy” Olesen will be 1 p.m. Friday, March 22, at Sinai Lutheran Church. Visitation will be Thursday, March 21 5-7 p.m. at Sinai Lutheran Church. Interment will be in the West Sinai Lutheran Cemetery, under the direction of Johnson-Henry Funeral Home of Arlington SD. Organist will be Marge Kleinjan. Special music will be provided by Maria Swarto and Amy Lease. Pallbearers will be Landon Olesen, Levi Olesen, Jaden Chen, Lane Olesen, Logan Olesen, Laken Olesen.
LeRue John “Buddy” (family called him) Olesen was born March 8, 1936, in Madison SD, to Lewie and Mae (Johnson) Olesen. He was the second oldest out of four children. LeRue attended school at Sunny Hill District 22.
He married Gwendolyn Bokker on Aug. 7, 1959, in Dell Rapids, SD. To this union they were blessed with two sons Lyle and Larry. They made their home in rural Lake Sinai township for the next 65 years.
LeRue joined his father at the age of 14 in farming and raising livestock. He enjoyed raising cattle and especially pigs. LeRue liked being in a tractor and doing field work. It was difficult for him to have to give all this up. He believed in working hard and instilled this in his sons and grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of almost 65 years Gwen Olesen of Arlington SD, two sons, Lyle (Stacy) Olesen of Madison SD, grandsons, Landon and Levi Olesen of Madison SD, granddaughter, Jaden (Ben) Chen and great-granddaughter, Winnie Chen of Springhill TN. Larry (Heather) Olesen of Madison SD, Grandsons Lane (Sophia Linder) of Sabin, MN, Logan Olesen, and Laken Olesen of Madison SD, Sister-in-law, Peggy Olesen and a special friend, Lee Tisland of Volga SD.
He was preceded in death by his parents Lewie and Mae, his sister Marjorie, his brother, LeRoy, and brother, Loren. Brother-in-law, Danny Barker and sister-in-law, Carol Olesen and nephew, Steven Barker.