Mr. Olsen, 85, of Rochester, died Sunday, June 16, 2019 at his residence in the presence of his beloved wife and family.

Donald was born March 18, 1934 in Des Moines, IA to Carl and Emma (Bertelsen) Olsen. He graduated from East High School in Des Moines in 1952, attended Grand View College in Des Moines, and graduated from Iowa State Teachers College, now University of Northern Iowa, in Cedar Falls in 1956.

On December 28, 1957, he married Barbara "Barb" (Priest) Olsen in Cedar Falls, IA. Don graduated with his PhD from the University of Northern Colorado and was a beloved Instructor of Organic Chemistry and later the Associate Dean of Instruction at Rochester Community College, now Rochester Community and Technical College, which he retired from in 1994. In his profession, he excelled at meeting the needs of his students and touched many lives during his years teaching.

Don was highly esteemed by everyone who knew him. He had a deep love and devotion to his family, loved meeting with his friends, had an incredible sense of humor, made friends with everyone he met, and he had a passion for traveling the world. Don was also on a committee for three years to help select medical students at the Mayo Clinic.

Don and Barb had an incredible marriage of 61 years. Don referred to Barb as "his bride" and she referred to him as "her prince". Their love story was absolutely beautiful and inspired so many people. Even at the end, Barb sat beside Don and held his hand. They loved being together and traveled extensively throughout Europe and the United States.

Don is survived by his wife, Barb; children, Kurt (Joan) Olsen of Brainerd, Lynn (Kurtis) Ault of Inver Grove Heights, and Brad Olsen of Rochester; grandchildren, Erin (Blake) Olson, Megan (Andrew) Nash, Andrew Olsen, Sarah Olsen; great-grandchildren, Laken, Micah, Holden and Aubrey; and brother, Harold (Carole) Olsen. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl (Emma) Olsen; and siblings, Berg (Betty Lou) Olsen, Mary (Harold) Riber, and Elsie (Chris) Johansen.

The funeral for Donald "Don" Olsen will be at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, 2019 at Zumbro Lutheran Church in Rochester with Pastor Shelley Cunningham. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the church before the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, donations to cancer research at Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research are preferred.