Susan L. Oleson, 61 cherished wife, mother, sister, and daughter passed away peacefully June 28th, 2025 surrounded by her loving family after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Susan was born on February 7, 1964 at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. She was the fourth child to Nancy and Richard Gowen. She attended Central High School in Rapid City and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1982. Later she graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science in History Education and a Minor in Theater Education. While in attendance at USD, she was an active participant in theater and Greek Life, and was a sister and social chairman of Alpha Phi Sorority. After graduation, she moved to Washington DC and worked as Greek Life Advisor for George Washington University.

Susan married Gregory S. Oleson on June 4, 1994 and soon had two sons, Parker and Ethan.

After returning to South Dakota, Susan followed her passion for teaching. She attended Black Hills State University, and graduated with a certificate in Elementary Education. She taught early elementary students at St. Elizabeth Seton for 28 years, serving as a crucial positive force for hundreds of children, who she cared for as though they were her own. Susan was awarded the Distinguished Teacher Award in 2015 by the National Catholic Educational Association.

Susan was well-read, well-traveled, and spent most of her time with her loved ones. She completed a half-marathon, directed over twenty theatrical productions, and was an active member of her church at OLPH. She was an advocate for the arts, a community builder, and a role model for students and adults alike. She will be remembered for her optimism, humor, kindness, resourcefulness, persistence, and quiet strength. She inspired each of these qualities in a generation of students and, most of all, in her family.

She was an avid lover of Seinfeld, the Beatles, summer pool days, peppermint chocolate, Garth Brooks, musicals, Little House on the Prairie, Barbie, Ed Sheeran, quiet nights, loving words, and knowing smiles. She spent many afternoons watching the rabbits in her backyard and enjoying the sunshine, and she loved to recline by the lake and recommend books and shows to her closest friends. She was always the most thrilled when reading to her students. Susan will be remembered for the many moments of beauty and love that she created for the people she knew.

Susan is survived by her husband, Greg Oleson; son Parker and his partner Caitlin; son Ethan; mother Nancy Gowen; siblings Jeff (Patty) Gowen, Cindy (Robb) Schlimgen, Betsy (Norman) Kluskdahl, and Kerry (James) Larson; her siblings-in-law Bob Oleson, Bud (Lisa) Oleson, and Jean (the late Bill) Kessloff; her nephews Bobby (Tracy) Gowen, Bryan (Christina) Gowen, Eric (Doris) Schlimgen, Matthew (Seerena) Schlimgen, Jakob Larson, Aiden Larson, Abraham Kluskdahul, Benjamin Kluskdahl; and her nieces Jessica LeCompte, Jordyn Oleson, Kaitlyn (Nicholus) Oleson-Hayen, and Mikennah Oleson. She is preceded in death by her father, Richard Gowen, and her in-laws Burdette and Elaine Oleson.

Susan's Vigil will be held on Sunday, July 6th at 7:30 pm at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, refreshments will be served in St. Jospeh's Hall following the Vigil; her funeral mass will be held on Monday, July 7th at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, a luncheon and time of fellowship will follow the Mass in St. Joseph's Hall; and a private interment of her ashes will take place on July 8th at Mount Cavalry Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, her family requests that a donation be made in her name to the St. Elizabeth Seton Susan L. Oleson Memorial Fund.  Please send all cards or donations to: Susan Oleson Memorial at  1551 S. Kepp Ct., Rapid City, SD 57701