Alton Morris Olson 1916-2006

MELBOSTAD, OLSON, MONSERUD, TREY, FERRIS

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 9/12/2006 at 16:20:43

Alton Olson

Alton M. Olson, 90, of rural Harpers Ferry, Iowa, died Tuesday, August 1, 2006, at Northgate Care Center in Waukon, Iowa. Funeral services were held Tuesday, August 8, at Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waterville, Iowa, with Pastor Ken Kimball officiating. Burial with graveside military rites was in the church cemetery. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon was in charge of arrangements.

Alton Morris Olson was born May 26, 1916, in rural Harpers Ferry, Iowa, the son of Henry and Ida (Melbostad) Olson. He was baptized and confirmed in Norwegian at Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church. Alton attended the "Prairie" rural school, Waterville High School, and graduated from Lansing High School. After his schooling, he spent a couple of seasons working on wheat and potato harvest crews in North Dakota. From 1942 until 1945 he served in the US Navy seeing duty in the South Pacific and Philippines.

December 8, 1943, he married Dorothy Monserud at the Waterville Lutheran Church. After his military service he returned to Allamakee County where he attended a farm school for veterans and then began farming in Taylor Township. He and Dorothy raised beef and dairy cattle, hogs, chickens, and grain. Alton also worked with his brothers in operating Olson Brothers Sawmill in rural Harpers Ferry for many years.

Alton remained a lifelong member of Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church, where he formerly served as a Trustee. He was also a member of American Legion Scenic Post 722 in Harpers Ferry. He enjoyed fishing, spending time on the Mississippi River, and traveling to visit relatives in Minnesota. Alton was a good neighbor and friend and truly loved his work on the farm.

Survivors include his wife Dorothy of Harpers Ferry; two children, Robert of Harpers Ferry and Lorraine and her husband Joe Trey of Cedar Rapids; a brother, Lloyd (Ruby) Olson of Harpers Ferry; and a sister, Amy Ferris of Burlington, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Orville and Helmer.

Casketbearers were Herb and Mark Dehli, Franklin and Steve Weymiller, David Monserud, and David Olson.

Waukon Standard, August 9, 2006