Gwendolyn Olesen

Gwendolyn Olesen, age 87, of Madison, SD, passed away Friday, February 20, 2026, at Peaceful Pines Assisted Living in Madison.

Funeral services Gwendolyn Olesen will be 1:00 PM Friday, February 27, 2026, at Sinai Lutheran Church with Pastor Mindy Spangler officiating. Organist will be Marge Kleinjan. Pallbearers will be Landon Olesen, Levi Olesen, Jaden Chen, Lane Olesen, Logan Olesen, Laken Olesen. Burial will be in the West Sinai Cemetery rural Sinai.

Visitation will be Thursday, February 26, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Sinai Lutheran Church. 

Gwen was born June 2nd 1938, to Hank and Sigrid Kringen-Bokker in Dell Rapids, SD. Gwen was the only child born to Hank and Sig. She spent many days having fun with her cousins. A special cousin that was very dear to her was Eleanor.

Gwen graduated from Dell Rapids High School in 1957. After graduation she went to Sioux Falls and worked as a nurse’s aide at Sioux Valley Hospital. Then in the fall she came to Madison to attend General Beadle. Gwen worked at the Madison Community Hospital for many years.

On August 7th, 1959, Gwen married LeRue J. Olesen that blessed them with 2 sons, 6 grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter.

They made their home in rural Lake Sinai township for the next 65 years. Gwen was an active partner in the livestock and farming operation. Many wonderful meals were served in the field. She loved to cook and bake and always had the coffee pot on with a plate of cookies for neighbors that visited.

In her spare time, she enjoyed quilting and crocheting and made many beautiful quilts for family and friends.

Gwen is survived by 2 sons, Lyle (Stacy) Olesen of Madison SD, Grandsons, Landon and Levi Olesen of Madison SD, granddaughter, Jaden (Ben) Chen and great-granddaughter, Winnie Chen of Springhill TN. Son, Larry (Heather) Olesen of Madison SD, Grandsons, Lane of Sabin, MN, (Hali Selseth) of Moorhead, MN, Logan (Sheyanne Sonne) Olesen, of Ethan, SD, Laken (Charlotte Sewell) Olesen of Madison SD, and sister-in-law, Peggy Olesen, and a special friend, Lee Tisland of Volga SD.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Hank and Sig Bokker and her husband Lerue J. Olesen.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Crawford Osthus Funeral Chapel of Arlington, SD.

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