Denis Robert Olson

Denis was born April 30, 1941 in Yakima, WA. The 3rd of 6 siblings, born to Avery and Jennie Olson. Denis was raised and educated in Gleed and Naches area. While attending Naches High School, he met the love of his life Jeanette Brown. They graduated in 1959 from Naches and were married in June of 1961. Sharing almost 65 years together before her passing in March 2026.

Growing up on a fruit orchard in Gleed our Dad (Denis) developed a love of farming. Dad started his dairy farming at a young age. His first farm and dairy was in Gleed where the Suntides Golf Course sits now. He later moved up the road to Maple Way and then made the move to White Swan in 1978. This is where he purchased and built his final dairy farm. He had one of the longest Grade A Dairy permits in Yakima County. Dad started out selling milk to Yakima Creamery and ended his career selling to Darigold.

In addition to farming, Dad had a passion for trucking and operating equipment. His first truck was a trade/purchase with Pingery Ford in Selah, a 1953 Dodge. Dad owned many trucks through the years and he had a few favorites – a 1965 Dodge that he called “Babe”, a 1959 Freightliner Cabover he called “Ole Blue”, and finally a 1986 Kenworth that he drove for 25 years. We figure he drove in excess of 4.5 million miles in those trucks over the years. Dad hauled everything from the hay that was grown on the farm, equipment, trucks he bought to rebuild and a lot of apple bins and fruit for Valley Fruit and Legacy Fruit. If it needed to be hauled, he was just a call away.

When not driving he could always be found on a piece of equipment at the farm, swathers, balers, harrow beds, combines and loaders. His favorite winter activity was cleaning the cow corrals with a loader.

The last few years had been hard for Dad his mind was still sharp, but his body was failing him. His hearing was bad and losing his ability to speak made life difficult, but he continued to persevere. He lost his beloved wife Jeanette in March 2026 and was heart broken. He visited her grave site often.

Dad is now reunited with Mom and is now free from the pain and the doctors appointments he disliked very much.

Denis is preceded in death by his wife Jeanette Olson, his parents Avery and Jennie Olson, siblings Jennie Adams, Kenneth Olson, Richard Olson, and Arvid Olson

Denis is survived by his sons Darin (Cheri Hurd deceased) Olson and Arron (Tracy) Olson, grandson Elijah Olson, granddaughter Kathryn Craig (John Church), brother Eric (Sue) Olson and honorary grandson Chris Walker. And many other dear family and friends.

Visitation will be held at Keith & Keith Funeral Home, 902 W Yakima Ave, Yakima, Washington 98902, on August 28, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

A graveside service will take place at Reservation Community Memorial Park, 5161 W Wapato Rd, Wapato, WA 98951, on August 29, 2026, beginning at 10:00 am.