Tom Olson, known as the 'weeping judge' of Fargo, dies at 71 (2024)

FARGO — A former Fargo judge known as the "weeping judge" and for his careful consideration of cases has died.

East Central District Judge Tom Olson, who served on the bench for Cass Steele and Traill Counties from 2014 through April 2022, died May 24 after falling and suffering from a brain bleed, his wife Sandra Leyland told The Forum. He was 71 years old.

Born Oct. 9, 1952, in Spokane, Washington, Olson was the oldest of three children, according to his obituary. He worked for the Clay County Attorney’s Office in Moorhead from 1983 to 1985 before pursuing a career in private practice in Fargo.

David Samson / The Forum

During that time, he focused on civil litigation and mediation. He wanted to give more back to the community, Leyland said.

“He said he just didn’t want to be known for saving insurance companies,” she said.

Olson wanted to be a judge, Leyland said, but he didn’t expect to be chosen for the job.

In February 2014, his dream came true. Then-North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple appointed Olson to replace East Central Judge Lisa McEvers after she was appointed two months early to the state Supreme Court. A survey of nearly 300 attorneys polled by the North Dakota State Bar Association rated Olson the highest among seven candidates, according to Forum archives.

Leyland said Olson cried when he found out. Becoming a judge for the East Central District was the highlight of his career, according to his obituary.

The judge won election to his seat in 2016 and 2020 with 99% of the vote. He was unopposed both times.

Despite being a judge, he wasn’t judgmental of people, Leyland said. He took his time listening to people, was well-grounded and enjoyed being around people, she said.

Cass County Assistant State’s Attorney Ryan Younggren said Olson was professional and thoughtful, the prosecutor said.

“I always felt like he was even-handed and fair to everyone,” Younggren said. “He always kept in the front of his mind the human side of everyone in court.”

Judges in the East Central District get a nickname, Judge Stephannie Stiel said. The judge who worked with Olson said his name was “Stew” because he took careful consideration of cases, was thoughtful about his decisions and didn’t make snap decisions, she said.

“He truly wanted to do good and truly wanted to see the best in people.

Olson also had a mischievous side to him, Leyland said. His obituary noted that his “sarcasm was beyond reproach, and yet his quick wit was endearing.”

“There was right and there was wrong, but he liked to have fun,” Leyland said, adding he would “stir things up” when talking with people.

It wasn’t uncommon for Olson to shed a tear in court, especially during tough cases, Leyland said. He was sometimes called the “weeping judge,” she said. He has a soft spot for marginalized people in the Fargo-Moorhead area, his obituary said.

Olson saw some "nasty things" and made tough decisions, Leyland said. Olson presided over the trial of William Hoehn, who was accused in connection to the death of Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind in 2017. The 22-year-old Native American woman died after her baby was cut from her womb.

Hoehn’s then-girlfriend, Brooke Lynn Crews, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to kidnapping and providing false information to officers for her part in LaFontaine-Greywind’s death. She is serving a life sentence.

Hoehn pleaded guilty to similar kidnapping and false information charges, but a jury acquitted him on the murder count.

Olson initially sentenced Hoehn to life, but the Supreme Court overturned the punishment. Olson reluctantly resentenced Hoehn to 20 years.

"The saddest thing for the court is that you will be out of prison before the child that lost its mother will graduate high school," Olson said during the second sentencing hearing. "How wrong is that?"

When judges retire, Stiel said she tries to get something to remember them by. For Olson, she has a plaque in her office with an Abraham Lincoln quote: “Whatever you are, be a good one.”

That quote sums up the kind of person Olson was, she said. He was a mentor to her, she said, often reassuring her during stressful times.

“He was always willing to be there for you,” Stiel said.

While Olson had tough cases, he also brought families together in the justice system, Leyland said. He saw himself as a servant who wanted to make a difference.

“He made a difference in our lives,” Leyland said.

Retiring was a tough decision for him, Leyland said. He contracted coronavirus in 2021.

After that, he suffered from pneumonia, concussions and two strokes before a doctor recommended he retire, he told The Forum in 2022. He suffered two more before he died, his wife said.

In a 2022 Forum interview, Olson said his goal was to leave those he saw in court feeling like they were heard. He said he saw a lot of people at their most desperate times, but he also saw the good, such as during marriages and adoptions.

“It’s the best job I’ve ever had,” Olson said in 2022.

Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, 215 Seventh St. S., Fargo, is handling Olson's funeral arrangements. A prayer service is at 5 p.m. Sunday, June 2, at the funeral home with a visitation from 3-5 p.m.

Olsons funeral is 2 p.m. Monday at Olivet Lutheran Church, 1330 South University Drive, Fargo, with a visitation one hour prior.