Burtness graduated from the academic department of the University of North Dakota at Grand Forks in 1906 and from its law department in 1907. He represented the University in several intercollegiate debates and was also active in The Mimer Society, a Scandinavian literary society.
Olger Burton Burtness was born on a farm near Mekinock in the Dakota Territory. He was the son of Ole O. and Mary (Anderson) Burtness, both immigrants from Norway.