Olson, Edward W. 1933-2009
OLSON, LEUCHTENMACHER, WAYNE, PATRICK, COOK, MACTAGGART, NOLD
Posted By: Mary Cameron (email)
Date: 1/25/2010 at 08:33:57
Edward W. Olson, 75, died Saturday, August 15, 2009, at Central Community Hospital in Elkader following a long illness.
A Celebration of Life was held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 19, 2009, at Peace United Church of Christ, Elkader, with Pastor Andrea Mericle officiating.
Honorary casket bearers were all the people who worked with Ed over the years.
A private inurnment was conducted at East Side Cemetery, Elkader.
Ed was born November 24, 1933 in Elkader to Gust G. and Ada (Leuchtenmacher) Olson. He graduated from Elkader High School in 1952. Ed served in the United States Air Force from 1952 to 1956, when he was honorably discharged. Ed was one of six survivors of a military plane crash in Alaska.
On September 16, 1954, he was united in marriage to Ruth Mary Wayne in Anchorage, Alaska, while serving in the Air Force. When the couple returned to Elkader, Ed worked with his father at G. Olson Co. from 1956 to 1959; was Deputy Treasurer of Clayton County from 1959 to 1963; served as Editor of Clayton County Register from 1963 to 1971; and operated the Sears Catalog Store in Elkader from 1971 to 1990.
In 1990, he became Executive Secretary to the Elkader Development Corporation. Ed became the Program Director for Main Street in 1993. He served five years as Director and retired from the Development Corporation in 2007. Ed was currently serving on the Boards of the George Maier Museum and Hillside Apartments, both in Elkader.
In 1962, Gerry Kramer and Ed organized the local chapter of Jaycee's. Ed served as the charter president. He served on the Clayton County Draft Board and also served as secretary of the Elkader Chamber of Commerce. In 1978, he was elected to the Elkader City Council. In 1980, he was elected mayor and served this position for four terms. It was during this time, the connection to Algeria and the Sister Cities program began.
Survivors include his wife, Ruth Mary of Elkader; his daughters, Melissa (Edmund) Patrick of Harpers Ferry, Cindy (Mike) Cook of Elkader, Jennifer Olson of Elkader; five grandchildren, Michelle (Calvin) Fredlake, Michael (Jennifer) Cook, Heather Patrick, Stephanie (Jeremy) McGirt, Benjamin Patrick; six great-grandchildren; two sisters, Eleanor MacTaggart of Elkader; Lillian Nold of Elkader and a multitude of friends.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents.
Clayton County Register, August 26, 2009.
Clayton Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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