OLSON, Steve D., age 76

Died: Friday, September 4th, 2026

Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at Hope Lutheran Church (2226 Eddy Lane) with Rev. Dr. Judy Kincaid officiating

Visitation: 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home on Tuesday, September 15,
2026 and also one hour prior to service at church on Wednesday

Interment with Military Honors: Rest Haven Cemetery, Town of Washington, Wisconsin 

In lieu of flowers, please give a memorial in memory of Steve to either:
Hope Lutheran Church or
the L E. Phillips Senior Center 

Steven D. Olson, age 76, of Eau Claire, died on Friday, September 4, 2026, due to injuries sustained in an accident at his hunting land in Blair, Wisconsin. 

Steve was born October 5, 1949, in Eau Claire to Sigvart and Mildred (Beck) Olson. They were later divorced and his mother married Ernest Galde who then raised Steve like a son. Steve grew up in the Town of Seymour and graduated from North High School in 1967.  

For 34 years, Steve was active with the Boy Scouts of America having received the Lamb Religious Award, Vigil Honor of the Order of the Arrow, and Silver Beaver Award.

Following graduation Steve spent a year at UW- River Falls before enlisting in the U.S. Army in May 1968. Before his deployment, Steve met Sharon Kruger and they were married on December 28, 1968, at Hope Lutheran Church. Steve was assigned to the Army's Military Intelligence Division serving our country at the height of the Vietnam War. They resided in Massachusetts before Steve was assigned to Herzogenaurach, West Germany in June 1969. Sharon later joined Steve and they lived in Germany until 1972 when he received his honorable discharge. During that time their son Travis was born in Nuremberg, West Germany. The young family returned to Eau Claire where their daughter Kari was born.   

Steve began his 25-year career with the Eau Claire Police Department in November of 1976. He pursued his degree in Police Science from CVTC graduating with honors in 1980. Steve worked 11 years as a Patrol Officer, retiring in 2002 after 14 years as a Detective and Crime Scene Investigator.  

His retirement years were filled with a ministry to share the Good News especially to those unable to attend worship service, being a fitness instructor at the L. E. Phillips Senior Center, a continued active member at Hope Lutheran Church, and hunting and fishing a little too.

Throughout his life, Steve was thankful for those who believed in him, which allowed the pursuit of his dreams. He said, "It's all about never giving up on yourself, and never giving up on others. Indeed, life has been good to me. And as you journey on this path called life, make the best of it, enjoy it, and be at peace with one another."

Steve is survived by his wife, Sharon; son, Travis; daughter, Kari Pierson; grandchildren, Ashley (Shaun) Starck, James Olson, Jakob Olson, Brady Baumgarten, Katie Pierson, Kamden Olson, and Amanda Pierson; great grandchildren, Isabella "Belle", Samuel, Oaklee, and Devon; other family and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Mildred; father, Sigvart Olson, Sr.; step-father, Ernest Galde; brother, Sigvart Olson, Jr.; and daughter-in-law, Erika Olson.