Susan Olson, age 73 and wife of Don Olson, of Bradley, died at home with family by her side on Friday, September 19, 2025. A time of visitation will be held from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. Sunday, September 28, 2025 at Furness Funeral Home. A private interment will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Bradley at a future date.
Susan Marie Bjerke was born on September 13th, 1952 to Joyce Mary (Riter) and George “Tenny” Bjerke in Webster, South Dakota. She was baptized at Calvary Lutheran Church and later went to grade school at Thorp School, both near Bradley, SD.
She was confirmed in Crocker Lutheran Church and then later graduated High School from Bradley in 1970. From there she started college at South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD majoring in Physical Therapy.
She didn’t think cliff jumping in Hawaii was quite dangerous enough, so she decided to marry Donald Olson on November 17th, 1973. Although she didn’t finish school at this time, she decided that raising a family was more important to her and moved back near Bradley. With a nudge from a friend, she later went back to school at Northern State University where she received her bachelor’s degree in accounting and her CPA certificate in 1991.
Susan loved her friends and family. She delighted in her grandchildren and was a loving mother, wife, teacher, cook, board member, farmer, bookkeeper, and accountant. She loved music and spent many hours playing, either with God’s Country, family, on her own, or at her favorite old Church in Bradley. She also enjoyed gardening, loved reading (especially the Bible), and even driving the combine, but not the truck so much (as she would say with a smile on her face).
She had a love of Jesus that was inspiring, spending many hours in Bible study and worship. As most that knew her can attest, she was always more than willing to help whoever needed it. Her favorite word was “Fine”. It was because she was Fine in the light of the Creator. She placed her trust in Him that He will be faithful to complete His work in all of us. Because of this faith in Jesus, everything is Fine.
She passed away in the early hours of September 19th, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
She was preceded in death by her brother Timothy George Bjerke, father George “Tenny” Bjerke, and mother Joyce Schoenbeck (Riter).
She is survived by her husband, Donald Olson, sister Patricia (Ken) Tarbox, son Neil (Kimberly) Olson of Inver Grove Heights MN, son Raymond (Kirstin) Olson of Bradley, son Daniel (Mya) Olson of Bradley, daughter Anna (Robert) Postal of Bradley, 13 Grand Children, 3 Great-Grand Children (with 1 more on the way), and many nieces and nephews.
She would want us to Praise the Lord for his presence, and thank Him for His Love.
Furness Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Celebrate a life with the whole community in The Dakota Scout. Contact obits@thedakotascout.com to have your loved one remembered today.