Walking On - David "Duke" A. Olson

David “Duke” Albert Olson

July 18, 1946 – April 14, 2017

Tribal spouse and former Tribal employee David “Duke” Albert Olson of Grand Ronde, Ore., walked on on Friday, April 14, 2017.

He was born on July 18, 1946, in Helena, Mont., to Aaron and Clementine Olson. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, teacher, mentor and friend.

He leaves behind his wife of 34 years, Linda; two daughters, Shawn (Ezequeil) Jones and Lydia (Lenny) Logan; two sons, Frank (Laurie) Hostler and Joe (Monica) Hostler; and 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He also is survived by two sisters, Judy (Jerry) Bosch and Kellee Olson, and a brother, Kirk (Kathy) Olson, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Aaron and Clementine; sister, Pat; brothers, Craig and Barry Olson; and all of his ancestors before him.

Duke was a proud member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe of Pine Ridge and a descendant of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe of South Dakota. He was a descendant of Charles “Count” Provost who traveled with Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show.

Duke and his family moved to Grand Ronde in 1954. He attended Agency School and graduated from Willamina High School in 1965 where he fondly remembered many mischievous adventures.

Duke was a Navy veteran, serving from 1965-71. He was a skilled front end mechanic and expert general contractor. Along with his wife, brother-in-law, sons-in-law and daughter and son, he operated Eagle Feather Construction for many years, building and remodeling numerous homes and offices from the ground up.

Duke was an expert builder who prided himself on quality work. He learned construction by working side by side with his father, Aaron, who taught himself plumbing, electrical, concrete, sheet rock, framing, roofing and finish work. Duke was a patient mentor and teacher, and prided himself on seeing his skills passed on.

Duke retired from the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Maintenance Department in 2009.

In retirement, he enjoyed playing poker at Spirit Mountain and Chinook Winds casinos, as well as playing bingo and visiting and teasing his friends at many local establishments. Duke made beautiful Native crafts with his hands. He enjoyed making and selling moccasins, drums, beaded necklaces and earrings. A perfectionist in everything he made, he never did “shoddy” work.

Duke will be greatly missed by his family and friends. His knowledge, teasing and sense of humor will be missed. He wanted to be remembered as a good man who lived a good life.

Duke’s family would like to thank Serenity Hospice, Willamette Valley Medical Center staff, Dr. Pathial, Dr. Spear, Dr. Lance Loberg and the Grand Ronde Health Clinic staff, and Lincare of McMinnville.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 22, in Grand Ronde at the Tribal gym, 9615 Grand Ronde Road, immediately followed with a meal at the Tribal Community Center.

Dallas Mortuary Center, www.dallastribute.com, is caring for the family.