Olav “Ole” Hamran

August 16, 1920-October 9, 2011

Visitation: Visitation with family present will be on Tuesday from 6–8 pm at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton.

Service: Funeral services will be held at 3pm on Wednesday, Oct 12, 2011 at Redeemer Free Lutheran Church, Canton.

Olav (Ole) Hamran, 91, passed away on Sunday, October 09, 2011 at Sanford Canton-Inwood Hospital.
Ole was born in Hagebostad, Norway on August 16, 1920 to Oluf and Anna (Birkeland) Hamran.  In 1928, when he was 8 years old, he traveled by ship with his family to America.  They settled near Klondike, IA, and later moved to Inwood, IA.  Ole learned to speak English after he came to America. 
Ole was a talented motorcycle rider and owned 16 motorcycles in his lifetime.  There were many stories and even a picture showing a daring ride from Canton to Inwood while standing on the seat of his Harley.   He bragged about riding up the front steps of the old Canton High School and even laying it sideways in the ditch to avoid authorities. 
Ole was united in marriage to Dorothy Kidd on September 20, 1954 in Jackson, MN.  They made their home in Canton.
He worked various jobs including Western Construction, Larry’s Radiator Shop, Oldsmobile Garage, Dan Cotton Chevy, and police officer for Inwood, IA.  In 1961, he started his own business west of Canton-Ole’s Auto Clinic-which he operated until his retirement in 1989.  He was very inventive and even made equipment to drill several of his own water wells.
Ole enjoyed wood-working, gardening, and playing cards and checkers with family and friends. Most of all he enjoyed his moped rides to Laurie’s Café for coffee.  Later on, he proceeded back to 4 wheels with his golf cart.  He was very proud of his grandchildren and cherished visiting with them.
Ole is survived by his wife of 57 years, Dorothy;  children Julie (Lane) Jervik, Hudson, SD; Diane (Troy) Balk, Sioux Falls, SD; Mark Hamran, Tea, SD; Paul (Jenny) Hamran, Canton, SD; grandchildren Chad Hamran, Nicole (Ben) Westra, Christopher Jervik, Alex Jervik, Jonah Hamran, Alexis Abbott, Brady Abbott, and Kaitlyn Abbott;  sister Asborg Hamran Inwood, IA; numerous relatives in Norway; lifelong friends Chuck and Betty Tanck and daughter Cathy Tanck, Sioux Falls, SD; and countless other friends and family.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Anna Maria Hamran.

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5 messages have been left

  1. Charles &Vivian Holt on October 17, 2011 said:

    We are thinking of you at this time,Dorothy.

  2. Daniel Larson on October 17, 2011 said:

    To Dorothy and family, All the very best at this time of your loss. I recall the picnics with mom (Rachel Larson) in both Canton and Beresford with your family. Regards, Daniel Larson

  3. Tanna and Todd Gries on October 17, 2011 said:

    Dorothy and Family: We are very sorry to hear of Ole’s passing. Every now and then, when we come to Canton, we would see him riding on his scooter. He was a character that I’m sure the folks of Canton will miss and talk about for many years to come. Peace be with you in this time of sorrow. Tanna and Todd Gries

  4. david and rachel larson on October 17, 2011 said:

    we are thinking of all the family at this special time. our kindest regards. dave and rachel

  5. David L. Kidd on October 17, 2011 said:

    I have many fond memories of my Uncle Ole. As one of my cousins noted reading Ole’s Obituary she didn’t know all the things Ole had done in his life and I didn’t either but I do recall a few things that stood out for me. As a kid it was always fun to go to Ole’s Station when my family visited from Colorado. We helped pump gas and Ole made sure we had our choice of pop and candy. It was the good old days when the cars ran over a cord and a bell sounded to let you know someone had pulled through the station for fuel; as if the cloud of dust or barking dogs were not enough of a notice. Ole always had some project or invention he was working on that he needed to share with friends visiting the station. Often when a group of people stopped to talk; Ole usually sat quiet except when the facts of the story were not accurate or a side note of information was needed for the story. It was fun just to listen to the stories and people talking to fill the day. Ole I think knew everyone or something about everyone in that part of the country. Ole also loved a good joke and always made sure they were passed on. I don’t recall him laughing out loud it was always held back with his head bobbing an acknowledgement like he had heard it before….and probably did. I don’t recall him traveling much it seemed like he always worked at the station doing whatever was needed for his customers. Later when he opened the bar side of the station I worked for him a few times and I always had a place to go for lunch even if it was closed. Ole was a big help too with car problems and I think that started my interest in automotive field in my early years. When I raced cars at Thunder Valley Ole always wanted to know how I was doing and made suggestions to improve my time. I know he and my dad had many stories of racing around that Canton area as teens. Ole was slow and steady with everything he did in life. He took it as it came and didn’t ever seem to have a worry. He had a good heart and was a good man to his family and friends. I know he will be missed by many and fondly remembered. Dorothy, my cousins and the entire Hamran Family are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.