Garland Eugene Olesen

June 21, 1947 ~ June 6, 2024

Garland E. Olesen, 76, Sioux Falls, passed away on Thursday, June 6, 2024, surrounded by his family after his battle with Mesothelioma.

Visitation will 11:00am, Friday, June 14, 2024, at Heartland Funeral Home, Brandon, South Dakota. Funeral services will begin at Noon. Inurnment will follow at the SD State Veteran Cemetery, Sioux Falls, with Military Honors at 1pm. A reception will follow at the Brandon VFW.

Garland Eugene Olesen was born on June 21, 1947, to LeRoy and Phyllis (Massey) Olesen, in Yankton, South Dakota. He was raised on the family farm west of Viborg where he went to country school and later graduated from Freeman High School. On December 12, 1965, Gar joined the U.S. Army. He was stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood and Ft. Hood and then specialized in nuclear weapons training at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. He was then stationed in Germany at a nuclear weapons facility attaining the rank of E5 and returning home in November of 1967.

Gar’s love for fast cars fueled his passion for racing at Thunder Valley Dragway in Marion, SD, which led him to a career as a mechanic starting in 1971. On July 20, 1974, he married Michele Christman and they had two children, Jeremy and Eric. Gar started G & M Repair in 1994, and even after retiring, he could often be found in the garage working.

Gar was fortunate to have traveled with family on multiple vacations including trips to Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas. Canoeing the Niobrara River every August was a favorite summer trip spanning 19 consecutive years. Gar will always be remembered for his strong work ethic, generosity, and overall willingness to help others.

Garland is survived by his sons, Jeremy (Erin) Olesen, and Eric (Cali) Olesen; grandchildren, Holly (Nick) Tieszen, Hunter (Josiah) Crawford-Olesen, Ashley, Abby, Carisa, and Tayber Olesen; great-grandchildren, Lailah, Westley, and Maverick; his mother, Phyllis Olesen; brothers, Burnell (Mary), David, and LeRoy Jr.; sisters, Mary (Rodger) Wenzlaff, Blanche (Allen) Vannorsdel, Peggy (Dave) Martin, Bonnie (Dave) Hubbs, and Brenda Olesen (Dan Hauser); and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Gar was preceded in death by his father, LeRoy; brothers, Mark and Tim; and nieces, Candice, Rebecca, and Jaden.