Scott D. Olenberger

Scott Olenberger left this world peacefully at his home in Devils Lake, North Dakota on August 5, 2018 following a short battle with pancreatic cancer.

Scott was born on September 2, 1947 in Harvey, ND to Albert and Frances (Paulson) Olenberger. He married his partner in life, Ailsa Anderson, on July 10, 1971 in Velva, ND. Scott and Ailsa’s family was made complete by the birth of their daughter Christine Marie, in May, 1972.

Scott entered the Army in 1967 at the height of the Viet Nam Conflict. He proudly served his country for a total of 10 years as a member of the 82^nd Airborne, as a Drill Sergeant, as an Aircraft Mechanic and as a Door Gunner for two tours in Viet Nam.  Following his military service, Scott worked on a nuclear power plant in Cleburne, Texas and as an electrician in Elko, NV. But the job he enjoyed the most was his final job as an electrical tech for Ottertail Power Company. He retired from Ottertail in 2009 after twenty years.

Scott thought spending time with his family and friends was the best use of his time. All you had to do was look for that devilish grin or listen for the boisterous laugh to know this scenario brought him great joy. He proudly talked about the school and athletic accomplishments of his granddaughter, Lily and he reveled in the “spunk” of grandson, Henrik, but his eyes sparkled most when you asked him about his daughter, Christine. Any time there was a gathering of friends in his back yard around the picnic table or the fire pit, with Ailsa cooking up one of her culinary feasts, was a good time in Scott’s mind. He treasured his friendships and was truly a friend’s friend.

Scott loved the outdoors and was an enthusiastic sportsman. Scott and Ailsa, along with their friends, spent numerous weekends hunting and fishing. He was most in his element when he was walking the fields with his dogs or sitting in his boat with a line in the lake just waiting for the next big fish. When he wasn’t engaged in either of those sports, you often found him taking his Harley for a spin, most recently with his best bud and canine sidekick, Nellie, riding along.

Those left to grieve his loss are his wife of 47 years, Ailsa, Devils Lake; daughter Christine (Jay) Peterson, Lake Park, MN; grandchildren Lily and Henrik Peterson, Lake Park, MN, Jason Peterson, Lake Park, MN and Jordan Peterson, Minneapolis, MN; brother Doug Olenberger, Seattle, WA; sister Janell (George) Jewett, Rapid City, SD; brothers-in-law John (Sandra) Anderson, Minneapolis, MN; David (Mary) Anderson, Phoenix, AZ; Laurie (Mona) Anderson, Velva, ND; Jamie (Julie) Anderson, Velva, ND; and sister-in-law, Mary (Dan) Willert, Devils Lake, ND along with numerous nieces and nephews, his constant companion, Nellie and his napping buddy, Jack. Their fond memories of Scott will be held close to their hearts.

Scott was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Frances Olenberger, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ervin and Phyllis Anderson and brothers and sisters-in-law, Alan, Phillip, Rosemary (Pixie), Rita and Susan Anderson.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made in Scott’s name to the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery Foundation, 1825 46^th Street, Mandan, ND 58554.

A gathering of family and friends will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 9, 2018 at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake with a time of prayer and remembrance at 6:00 p.m. led by Reverend Mr. Ken Severenson, Deacon.  

Graveside Services will be held next Friday, August 17, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, rural Mandan, ND. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team.