Nancy Svanes-Olson

Nancy (Svanes) Olson, age 69, of Regan, ND, passed away June 4, 2026, at her home.

Per Nancy's wishes, cremation has taken place and no formal service will be held.

Nancy Irene Svanes-Olson was born in Bismarck to Reinert and Sigfrid Svanes on November 6th, 1956, the youngest of 7 children. Growing up on the family farm, near Kintyre, she would often accompany her father out to tend the Black Angus herd, drive trucks to the field, and assist with farm chores. She was proud of her Norwegian heritage and made several trips to visit relatives in Norway on both sides of the family; the first was by ship with the entire family in 1963, the second time with her parents and sister Wanda in 1974, and the last time with her parents and husband in 1988.

She attended first grade at the Kintyre school, and second through eleventh grade in Napoleon. Nancy earned her high school diploma through a correspondence program with North Dakota State University, completing the requirements during her junior year of high school. While her older siblings were away at Oak Grove during the school year, Nancy had a close relationship with her next older sibling, Wanda. She went on to college at University of North Dakota, Moorhead State University, the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire, eventually completing her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of Minnesota, Duluth in 1981. While singing in the Chamber Singers ensemble at Moorhead State she first met her future husband Donovan Olson. They were married on July 17, 1981 and settled in Bismarck. Three years later they moved to their present home in Regan.

Upon returning to North Dakota, she continued her career serving those in need at several Bismarck-Mandan facilities including the Charles Hall group home, St. Vincent’s Nursing Home, the Baptist Home, and with Lutheran Social Services. Her final job was with Bismarck Public Schools working as a Paraeducator at Bismarck High, Solheim, Miller, and Will-Moore elementary schools.

She expressed her passion for music by playing oboe and English horn with the Bismarck Symphony, Missouri Valley Chamber Orchestra, West River Winds, Bismarck Elks band, and by teaching oboe at Mandan Public Schools. She was also a capable pianist, accompanying students while she was teaching music at Regan School. She was an avid collector of dishware, pottery, and musical instruments including her prized guitars (6 and 12 string), a mandolin, violin, and flute.

Nancy and Donovan welcomed the birth of their only child, Hannah, on April 29, 1991. Hannah was fortunate to have a stay-at- home mom for the first formative years; They bonded over art projects, singing, gardening, cooking, and caring for their cats. Once Regan School closed, Hannah enrolled in Bismarck Public schools from years 7-12; While the commute was long, the time together allowed them to grow closer.

Dealing with chronic pain made Nancy decide to retire from her job with BPS in 2018. Her last years were highlighted by trips to the Red River Valley to visit Hannah and her husband Clay, and by spending many hours chilling with Netflix and playing with their herd of cats. She passed away in her sleep on June 4th following a fall at home. She is survived by her husband Donovan and daughter Hannah, by her brother Rolf Svanes and sister Wanda Parr, and by many Svanes, Blixt, Weiss, Parr, Olson, and Schleif nieces and nephews. Nancy was preceded in death by her father Reinert Svanes, mother Sigfrid (Friestad) Svanes, siblings Glenn Ole Svanes, Randi Blixt, Linda Weiss, and Glenn Karl Svanes.

During her 69 years, Nancy touched countless lives as a caregiver, colleague, educator, friend, and family member. Her kindness, talents, and dedication to others left a lasting impression on all who knew her. She will be deeply missed by family, friends, former students, and all whose lives she enriched.