Daniel G. Olson

Date of Death: October 7, 2025

Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve

2024 Lakeview Dr

Suamico, Wisconsin 54173

920-434-2824 |

Saturday 10/18, 11:00 am

Ducks Unlimited Memorial Honor Giving

Daniel G. Olson, age 84, passed away on a beautiful fall morning, October 7, 2025.

Born to the late George and Rose Olson in Mayville, Wisconsin, Dan graduated from Mayville High School in 1959. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point and a master’s degree in Wildlife Management from Southern Illinois University–Carbondale. As he often said, he got his schooling at the universities, but his real education was at Clark’s Greenhouse and the Mayville Canning Factory.

Dan dedicated 20 years to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources as a Wildlife Manager. Among his many accomplishments, he was proud to have played a significant role in removing the cormorant from the Endangered Species list. He was also the 1972 Wisconsin State Duck Calling Champion—an achievement that reflected his lifelong passion for waterfowl.

Following his time with the DNR, Dan spent 17 years with Ducks Unlimited in various roles. His deep love for birds inspired his efforts to raise funds for wetland conservation. His favorite playgrounds were the Horicon Marsh and Rush Lake, where he spent countless days hunting —first alongside his father and brothers, and later with his own children.

Tradition was at the heart of Dan’s life. For more than 70 years, he spent time at Mercer Lake in Woodruff, Wisconsin, where he shared his love of fishing and the outdoors with his children and grandchildren. He especially loved pan fishing and musky fishing there with family. In recent years, one of his favorite pastimes was enjoying morning coffee on the porch, taking in the quiet beauty of nature and watching the bird’s fly overhead.

After retirement, Dan gave generously of his time as a board member for the Oconto Electric Community Change Board, the Oconto Area Humane Shelter, and the Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands group.

Dan was known for his compassion toward animals. Whether it was a squirrel, rabbit, bird, deer, or eagle, he was always ready to help. If he couldn’t nurse an injured animal back to health himself, he made sure it found its way to someone who could.

While his love of hunting and fishing was unmatched, his devotion to his dogs was just as strong. Over the years, he had many loyal companions who were not only his best hunting partners but, as he liked to say, truly “a man’s best friend.”

He is survived by his three children, Kiar (Tina) Olson, Tyra (Tim) Stoehr, and Kjell (Leah) Olson; his brothers, George Olson and James (Marge) Olson; and his six grandchildren, Annika, Bergin, Halden, Anders, Parker, and Mason as well as many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Rose Olson.

A celebration of Dan’s life will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve in Suamico, Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be directed to Ducks Unlimited Inc, One Waterfowl Way, Memphis, TN 38120 Attn: Danny Olson Memorial Gift, or as either a sponsor or member, in Dan’s name.

A special thank you goes out to Dan’s caregiver Jill, and to all the staff at Rennes Group of De Pere for such amazing care and compassion they have shown to Dan and his family.

Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve

2024 Lakeview Dr

Suamico, Wisconsin 54173

920-434-2824 | Map

Saturday 10/18, 11:00 am

Ducks Unlimited Memorial Honor Giving

Daniel G. Olson, age 84, passed away on a beautiful fall morning, October 7, 2025. Born to the late George and Rose Olson in Mayville, Wisconsin, Dan graduated from Mayville High School in 1959. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point and a master’s degreeContinue Reading

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I have many fond memories of Dan and family when they lived in Plymouth. They would visit my family in Sheboygan and I babysat in Plymouth.

Sending condolences to the family of Dan. May you find peace in the happy memories of the times you shared.
God be with you.
Bud and Cheryl Court

I am sorry to hear of Dan's passing. My sympathies to his family. I met Dan while working for the WDNR in Green Bay in the early and mid 1980's. That period was among the best of times for me due in large part to Dan and the other great people I came to know and work with. I have f9nd memories of Dan. Banding geese, stocking pheasants, and stocking walleye fry in the Fox River. Hunting partridge, pheasants, wood cock, and deer. Fishing on Lake Michigan, and Geneva Lake. Enjoying cinnamon rolls at a local eatery. The WDNR was fortunate to have Dan on it's team. Dan befriended me an I thank God for that.

Our sympathy to Dan's family. We have many happy memories of Dan at Ducks Unlimited events.

Dan was truly one of the good guys—he was a good man,good friend,and someone who made you smile every time you saw him. His enthusiasm for the outdoors,wildlife,the ducks and dogs was contagious. He made friends at every turn of his life and feel blessed that I was one of them. Happy hunting Dan,hopefully we can share a duck blind together again somewhere down the road with our dogs again and I can see that grin and hear the words “Jimmy—,here they come”

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

With deepest sympathy,

Sweet Tranquility Basket was purchased for the family of Daniel Olson by Larryleal @ family. Send Flowers

A tree was also planted in memory of Daniel Olson

I am very sorry to hear of Dan's death. He was a wonderful neighbor to Mom and Dad in Oconto. He would always try to let me know when he was fishing with family in Minocqua. He also really enjoyed hunting with family on our land and was very influential in getting my family to establish a wildlife pond on their land.

Tyra and family,

Sending my thoughts and prayers to all of you during this difficult time. May your memories of your dad help guide you through this time and beyond.

Amy (Albers) Keehan

Deepest Sympathies to the Olson family from our family🙏

Dan and I had adjacent office cubicles at the DNR office on Military Ave in Green Bay. We spent a lot of time chatting and laughing over our office divider especially after some of the phone calls we would receive from the public! Dick Baudhuin and I had a nice visit with Dan earlier this summer to reminisce and enjoy old times. He was a good friend and will be sorely missed!

The number of lives Dan touched in positive ways would be countless. He certainly touched ours! Thanks Ole for the memories, the good times, the hard work for DU, and as we slowed down, the phone calls. May God have you in his arms.

Since we worked at opposite ends of the State I didn't have much interaction with day, but what little II did was always entertaining.

Dan and I shared an office for several years while he worked for WDNR with our two desks facing each other and became fast friends. We had a lot of fun and adventures together over the years and both frequently got into trouble for being outspoken though always with a sense of humor. Dan left to join DU and I went to Madison to work in the Fisheries Bureau. We prided ourselves when giving a joint presentation at sportsmen's clubs and always received kudos from the
members after which we took pride in because these were the years when the DNR was hated by many. Dan was a helluva good speaker. I miss him.

Dan had that quality of knowledge and sense of humor that made him special. He was always fun to be around. We're going to miss him.

Dan was a true friend and fellow hunter and fisherman. He and I would make jaunts to Chili John's for lunch when no one else in the office had the intestinal fortitude for the task. Dan, I'll see you and Mark at "The Shack".

So many fond memories of time spent with DU and later, retirement.
As our health faltered, his phone calls would always bring a smile to my face, especially if he had a new "Ole & Lenna" joke. Rest in peace my Friend. Con Hillman, Bismarck, ND

It was always a pleasure to talk with Dan about our shared commitment to taking care of our natural resources and the importance of those resources to us all. Always the gentleman, his sincerity for the things he cared about and loved was never in doubt. We are all better for having known him and the work he did.

Liked and respected by all who worked with him at Ducks Unlimited.

To the Family. What’s wonderful friend and person!🦆We were part of the DU Famiy back in the “Best”days of DU Wisconsin! Dan was always ready with a story or offer to help whatever was needed. We would extent our sympathy to the family you have the memories of one Great Guy! We are very fortunate to have him as a Friend🦆🎶🦆❤️. Mama Duck & Tom

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Growing up with cousins in Mayville was a wonderful experience. Going to remember all the good times we had

Serenity Wreath was purchased for the family of Daniel Olson by Bill and Pat(Olson) Descher. Send Flowers

A tree was also planted in memory of Daniel Olson

Many fond memories of Dan at the Green Bay DNR office - he brought light into everyone’s lives. His compassion for the outdoors was contagious.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.