Olson, Glenn M. 1909-2005

OLSON, EVENSON, HANIGAN, SCHABEN, MULLIN, GIBBS, WEBER, KOTZ, NORDAKER

Posted By: Elaine Harrington (email)
Date: 6/20/2007 at 20:44:29

The Dunlap (Iowa) Reporter
dated February 3, 2005:

Glenn Merlyn Olson was born November 9, 1909 at the farm home of his parents, Tingvald and Ella (Evenson) Olson, in Crawford County, Boyer Township, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at Soldier Lutheran Church, and he graduated from Soldier High School in 1928.

Glenn married Alice Marie Gibbs at St. Mary’s Church in Ute, Iowa on May 19, 1932. They farmed in the Soldier area during the 1930s before moving to Woodbine in 1940. They later moved to the Mapleton area.

Over the years Glenn also worked as a CAT operation on the Preparation Canyon Park, sold Peet’s feed, and drove a school bus. After Glenn retired from farming the couple spent their winters in Arizona. When Alice became a resident of the Dunlap Nursing & Rehab Center, Glenn moved to Dunlap. Alice died on September 23, 1992. Glenn became a resident of the Dunlap Nursing & Rehab center in November of 2000.

Glenn was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mapleton before transferring his membership to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Dunlap. He was also a member of Knights of Columbus.

Glenn loved playing cards--and much to the consternation of his wife--he loved rehashing the games. He also enjoyed dancing and playing the guitar with his father on violin, his mother and sister Edna on piano and brother Maynard on the trombone. He planned his 85th birthday party and danced every dance. He was a great father and grandfather and there was no mistaking his heritage as he always kept his Norwegian brogue and seemed to like singing Norwegian songs.

Glenn died on Saturday, January 29, 2005 at the Dunlap Nursing & Rehab Center at the age of 95 years, two months and 20 days.

Glenn was preceded in death by his parents; wife; two brothers, Chester and Milton and wife Merle Olson; sister, Edna and High Mullin; sister-in-law, Margaret Olson; and two brothers-in-law, Milford Nordaker and Vernon and Marjorie Gibbs.

He is survived by his daughter Evonne and Vernal Weber of Mapleton, Iowa; six grandchildren, Mark and Jean Hanigan of St. Louis, Mo., Beth and Joseph Schaben of Dunlap, Iowa, Michael and Lisa Hanigan of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Timothy and Christina Hanigan of Garden City, Kan., Ann Hanigan-Kotz and John Kotz of Adel, Iowa and Sue Hanigan of San Jose, Calif.; 12 great grandchildren; five step children;; nine step grandchildren; one brother, Maynard Olson of Onawa, Iowa; sister-in-law, Marcella Nordaker; and many other relatives and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday morning, February 1, 2005 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Dunlap at 11 a.m. with Rev. Paul Strittmatter and Deacon Marvin Klein officiating. Musician was Marilyn Grote. Vocalist Kathleen Schaben sang “On Eagles Wings” and “Gentle Woman”.

Interment was made at St. Clair Cemetery in Ute, Iowa. Pallbearers were Mark Hanigan, Michael Hanigan, Tim Hanigan, John Kotz, Joe Schaben, Mitchell Schaben. Arrangements were handled by Fouts Funeral Home in Dunlap.