Olson, Joel 1931-2017

OLSON, LARSON, HANSEN, SAUNDERS, TRAFFORD, EDENS, HENNING, MCCULLOH, WHITTEY, GRAU

Posted By: NettieMae
Date: 4/24/2017 at 18:05:05

Mr. Joel Olson, 85, of DeWitt, Iowa, and formerly of Grand Mound died Sunday afternoon, February 5, 2017, at The Alverno in Clinton.

He was born February 23, 1931, at home on the family farm at rural Grand Mound to Waltin, Sr. and Jennie Marie (Larson) Olson. Joel was baptized and confirmed at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Calamus. As a young man he was very active in 4-H, showing livestock at the fairs, acting as County Council president and Vice President at the state level. He graduated from Calamus High School in 1948 and attended winter quarter farm operation courses at Iowa State University. Joel married Katherine "Kay" Hansen July 25, 1954. The couple farmed and raised their family on the Olson family farm.

Joel was a lifelong member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church. He was very proud of his Norwegian heritage and the fact that his farm had been in the family since 1862. Joel served on the Board of Directors at First Central State Bank, DeWitt, Calamus School Board, was a member of the Eastern Iowa Angus Association, served as a leader of his children's 4-H club and served on the Care Revue Committee at Wheatland Manor for many years.

Surviving are his loving wife of 62 years, Kay; children, Mark (Marcia Edens) Olson of Calamus, David Olson, Grand Mound, Dion (Dawn) Olson of Grand Mound and Holly (Mark) Saunders of DeWitt; grandchildren, Melanie and Hailey Saunders, and Grant and Hope Olson. Also surviving are Steve and Ashlee Trafford and Alison Edens as well as sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Jutta Hansen, Mildred Hansen, Dorothy (El) Gertner, Sonja (Ray) Byerly, Sandy (Craig) Henning and Eunice (Steve) Olson; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Waltin Olson, Jr. and Noel Olson and sisters-in-law, Barbara Olson, Betty Olson and Miriam Olson; sisters, Cleone McCulloh and Jenora Olson and brother-in-law, Winton McCulloh; also sisters-in-law, Ruth Whittey and Joan Hansen and brothers-in-law, Peter Hansen, Paul Hansen, Chris Hansen, Jr., Scott Whittey and Les Grau.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, rural Calamus from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. Friday, February 10, 2017. A Service of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 11, 2017, in the church with the Rev. William Runaas officiating. Burial will follow at Kvindherred Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Our Savior's Lutheran Church or the 4-H Foundation.

Pallbearers will be Steve Olson, Jim McCulloh, Reed McCulloh, Brian McCulloh, Murl McCulloh and Chris Hansen, III. - See more at: http://obituaries.clintonherald.com/story/joel-olson-1931-2017-873778682#sthash.nGLVhE1m.dpuf