Donald Olson

Donald George Olson, 81, of Mankato, died August 2, 2022 at Mayo Clinic Health Systems in Mankato surrounded by family.

A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 6, 2022 at Northview-North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Dr., in North Mankato with visitation one hour prior to the service. Private burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Mankato at a later date. The family prefers memorials be given to Mending Spirits (animal rescue) or Hosana Lutheran Church. Livestreaming will be available at www.mankatomortuary.com.

Don was born May 16, 1941 to George and Ellen (Ranta) Olson in Minot, North Dakota. After graduating from Minot High School, he attended the University of North Dakota where he received his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and North Dakota State University receiving his master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Don started his career at Los Alamos Labs in New Mexico from 1969 to 1974. He then worked for the Education Communication of the States and Mountain Bell in Denver, Colorado until 1981. In 1981, Don moved to Mankato where he worked at Mankato State University as Associate Vice President for Computer Technology and Director for Computer Services for all Minnesota State Colleges. In 1996, he took a position as Chief Information Officer at Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky until 2000. He retired from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, as the Director of Information Technology in 2006.

Don married LuAnn Hiniker on June 26, 1992 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He and LuAnn moved back to Mankato from Rochester in 2013.

In his free time, Don enjoyed his loving companion dogs, Geo and Casey, his cats, traveling, driving his ’66 Corvette and spending time at his condo on South Padre Island, Texas. He loved all things sports, especially the Vikings and Twins, and having a good cigar on the deck. He truly loved attending his great niece and nephews’ sporting events earning him the title “Super Fan.”

Don is survived by his wife, LuAnn Hiniker; son, Todd (Sheri) Olson of Newport, Oregon; sister, Karen (Lynn) Lakoduk; brother-in-law, Gene Sellers; Hiniker brothers and sisters-in-law, Gerry (Linda) Hiniker, Steve (Julie) Hiniker, Alan (Brenda) Hiniker, Mary (Joe Butzer) Hiniker, and Dorothy Jo Hiniker; and many loving nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Marianna Sellers; and parents-in-law, Christopher and Phyllis Hiniker.