Dorman H. Olson

Dorman Harvey Olson passed away peacefully on May 16, 2024.  He was 86.

He was born to Violet and Alvin Olson on August 18, 1937 at the family farm on Texas Ridge.  He was a middle son in a large family.  He attended grade school at the Elwood School on the Ridge, and graduated Deary High School in 1955.

He married Verla Whybark on May 30, 1959.  They were married 45 years, until her death in March of 2004.  They made their first home in Deary, then moved to Helmer, where they raised their 4 children.  Later, Dorman and Verla moved back to Deary.

Dorman’s logging career spanned several companies, for whom he operated loaders and line machines.  He retired in 1999 from the Potlatch Corp.

Dorman had many hobbies.  He loved working with wood, building tables, benches, chairs, patio planters, hope chests, and birdhouses.  He was very proud to display and sell his works to friends and others.  He also enjoyed the outdoors, whether he was fishing, hunting, gardening, or picking mushrooms there.  He loved to spend time at Fuzzy’s in Deary, visiting with old friends and making new ones.  Up to the end, he was a regular fixture there, and everyone knew him.

Dorman is preceded in death by his wife, Verla; a son, Ronald “Ronnie”; 6 brothers; and 4 sisters.  Surviving are his remaining children, Brenda (Rick) Lohman, Bonnie (Doug) Browning, and Kermit (Lynda) Olson; a sister, Marge Heustis, all of whom reside in Deary, Idaho, as well as 5 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held at the Deary Community Center on June 15th at 2 pm.  There will be a burial at a later date.  We invite you to share a meal and any stories you have of Dorman’s life.  The family suggest that memorials be made out to the Deary Fire and Ambulance Fund.