Darwin Oliver
Darwin Oliver, age 84, of Lemmon, SD, passed away on Tuesday morning, June 13, 2023 at the Five Counties Nursing Home in Lemmon, SD.
Funeral services for Darwin were held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Lemmon, SD, with Pastor Spencer Allen officiating. Burial with military honors was held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday afternoon at the Gallaway Cemetery near Meadow, South Dakota.
Visitation was held from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. followed by a friends and family service at 7:00 p.m. all on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon, SD.
Darwin Herbert Oliver was born on February 23, 1939, in Perkins County, SD, to Dell and Luella (Hylland) Oliver. He grew up on the family ranch near Meadow, SD, attending rural Thompson School through 8th grade and graduating from Lemmon High School in 1957. Following graduation he attended SDSU Ag School in Brookings for two years before enlisting in the Army National Guard where he was stationed in Washington State for one year of training.
He was united in marriage to Arlene Gaaskjolen on September 16, 1962. Their marriage was blessed with four children, Monte, Darin, Ryan and Cody. Darwin and his father were one of the first ranches in the area to implement Charolais cattle into their operation. He took great pride in growing and improving his new herd, winning numerous awards in local county fairs. While eating a steak, he would always claim he knew whether it was a Charolais or not!
Darwin enjoyed attending his children and grandchildren’s events throughout the years, especially the rodeos, his vacations to Yellowstone Park and Branson, MO. If there was a Charolais bull sale anywhere in the western Dakotas, he was probably there, looking for the next best genetics, visiting with old friends and making new ones. And of course, he always enjoyed a good bowl of ice cream.
Darwin had the “unusual” talent of selling raffle tickets. In all of the organizations he was involved in, he was the “Go to Guy” to raise money, leaving home with a pocketful of tickets and returning with a pocketful of cash!
He was very active in the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Steer Inc., Ranchers Camp, Meadow Cemetery Board, Coal Springs Threshing Bee and a longtime member of the S.D. Gideons, Grand River Grazing Association, Lemmon Junior Livestock Show, International Charolais Association and Brattvet-Green American Legion Post #66.
He was called to his eternal home in heaven on Tuesday morning, June 13, 2023, at the Five Counties Nursing Home in Lemmon, SD.
Darwin is survived by his four sons, Monte (Jessie), Darin (Janet), Ryan (Lacey) and Cody; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; three sister, Bonita (Gene) Lyon, Darlys Clark and Lynette (Ken) Even; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Arlene; his parents; sister, Della Mae Hatle; brothers-in-law, Ben Clark and Gay Hatle; and Arlene’s parents, Garnet and Vergil Gaaskjolen.
A memorial has been established.
Condolences may be sent and the livestream of the funeral viewed at www.evansonjensenfuneralhome.com.
