Olson, Thomas Alyn 1949-2014

OLSON, TELFORD, MUNCK, CLARK, LLOYD, STEINES, FELL, WITT, SMITH, GUIDEBECK, BURKE, DONAHUE

Posted By: Ruth Maring - Volunteer
Date: 12/22/2014 at 08:56:20

Thomas A. Olson, 65, of Calamus, died early Thursday morning, November 6, 2014, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, as the result of injuries suffered in an accident.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt, from 1:00 until 6:00 p.m. Sunday, November 9th. A Service of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 10th, at the Calamus-Wheatland Activity Center in Wheatland with the Rev. Sarah Goettsch, The Rev. David Aanonson and Vicar Paul Waterman officiating. Burial will follow at Kvindherred Cemetery, rural Calamus, with military rites by the Magnus M. Petersen American Legion Post #466 of Calamus of which Tom was a member and the Iowa National Guard. In lieu of flowers or statuary, the family wishes memorials to Clinton County 4-H Endowment, Calamus-Wheatland FFA or one of the many charities that Tom performed benefit auctions for.

Pallbearers will be Larry Munck, Jeff Munck, Greg Munck, John Smith, Ron Fell, Steve Guidebeck, Paul Burke, Dan Donahue and Kurt Olson. Honorary pallbearers will be Terry Steines, Gary Munck, Neil Mason, Norm Bousselot, LeRoy Claussen and Merle Vastine.

Thomas Alyn Olson was born July 17, 1949, in Clinton to Noel and Miriam (Telford) Olson. He was a 1967 graduate of Calamus High School and attended Iowa State University. At the age of 19, Tom graduated from Superior Auction School in Decatur, Illinois. He served his country in the U.S. Army Reserve. On November 17, 1973, Tom was united in marriage to Judy Munck at Elvira Zion Lutheran Church. Tom and Judy farmed in rural Calamus their entire married life. He was an auctioneer with GMB Auction Company from 1985 until the group’s retirement in 2013, and also performed numerous charity and benefit auctions over the years. Tom was currently a school bus driver with the Calamus-Wheatland School District, a position he held for over 25 years.

He was a lifelong member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, rural Calamus where he held many positions. Tom was also a member, past president and hall of fame inductee of the Iowa Auctioneers Association. He was currently beef superintendent of the Clinton County Club Show He was a former 4-H leader and had a great passion for helping his children and grandchildren exhibit livestock. As a young man, Tom was active in showing cattle and won the prestigious American Royal Steer Show in Kansas City 50 years ago. He was a true cattleman and member of the Iowa Angus Association and the Clinton County Cattlemen. Tom and Judy took great pride in raising their cows and calves together. Some of Tom's greatest joys in life were spending time with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren participate in sports and played slow pitch softball into his 40's. Tom's kind demeanor, dedicated work ethic and easy smile made him loved by all.

Surviving are his loving wife of nearly 41 years, Judy; children and their spouses, Angela and William Clark of Grand Mound, Andrea and Shane Lloyd of Monticello, Matthew and Julie Olson of Calamus; grandchildren, Kailey, Megan and Rachel Clark, Leah and Mason Lloyd and Ryan and Kara Olson; a brother and sister-in-law, Steve and Eunice Olson of DeWitt; a sister and brother-in-law, Julie and Terry Steines of Calamus; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Gary and Janet Munck, Marie Perry, Larry and Sherri Munck, Lonnie and Ron Fell, Jolee Witt, Gay and John Smith, Laurie and Steve Guidebeck, Jeff Munck, Nancy and Paul Burke, Dan Donahue and Greg and Charlene Munck; an uncle and aunt, Joel and Kay Olson; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceding Tom in death were his parents, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Louis and Jane Munck and a sister-in-law, Patti Donahue.

Condolences may be expressed and a photo tribute viewed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com