BISMARCK, ND – Geneva Schow Oleson of Stanton, N.D., became the first woman to be inducted into the North Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame at ceremonies held in March 2013.
Oleson was born on Dec. 28, 1924, near Regent. She considered becoming a flight nurse, but decided instead to take flying lessons at Sax Aviation in Dickinson. Oleson’s father, Martin Schow, taught her how to fly. She earned her private pilot certificate in 1945.
In 1946, Oleson managed a private airport with her father at his ranch, helped manage Charlie Wyman’s Mott Airport, and established the first aviation publication in North Dakota – Dakota Flyer – which she published until she married Todd Oleson in 1948 and moved to Lemmon, S.D.
The Olesons moved to Dickinson in 1961 and purchased Dickinson Air Service. Todd Oleson was killed a year later while crop dusting, and Geneva sold the business in 1964. Oleson passed away in 1977.
The North Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame was founded in 1997 and has since inducted 37 people. A display of inductees is located on the ground floor at Bismarck Municipal Airport (www.ndac.aero/fame.htm).
