Randy Lynn Olson 1952-2006

OLSON, KNOFF, LEE

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 4/30/2009 at 23:59:20

Randy Olson
May 24, 1952-Jan. 6, 2006

Randy L. Olson, age 53 of Moorhead, Iowa, died Friday, January 6, 2006 in Sioux City, Iowa.

Services were held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 10, 2006 at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Moorhead with Rev. Carla Ingebretsen officiating. Burial was in Spring Valley Cemetery with military graveside services provided by Iowa Air National Guard 185th Tactical Fighter Division, American Legion Peter Hansen Post #365, Ute VFW #5605 and Legion Post #442. Musicians for the service were Pat Lamb and Connie Anderson and the Moorhead Community Choir. Music selections included "Amazing Grace", "On Eagles Wings" and "How Great Thou Art".

Randy Lynn "RO" Olson was born May 24, 1952, to Maynard and LaQueta (Knoff) Olson in Moorhead, Iowa. He was baptized in the Soldier Lutheran Church, and he was confirmed in the Bethesda Lutheran Church in Moorhead. Randy graduated from East Monona High School in 1970. He was active in 4-H and showed cattle in the Monona County Fair, Four County Fair, and Aksarben.

He also played baseball, football, track & field, played the trumpet and sang in the choir. He attended Morningside College to study livestock management, but he then enlisted in the Iowa Air National Guard 185th Tactical Fighter Division in Sioux City, Iowa. He completed his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Randy was trained as a weapons mechanic at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado. He was honorably discharged as a sergeant.

After the service, he farmed with his father. He married Sandra Lee on July 27, 1973, and the couple lived on a farm east of Moorhead. Randy then worked for ANSCO Seed in Whiting, Jordan Soldier Valley Telephone Company, Long Lines, the Moorhead Co-op, and McDonald Construction. Randy and some of his friends formed the Soldier Lunch Bunch for the Soldier Centennial. Later on Randy, Sandy, Dennis and Sharon Swenson and Terry Swain expanded the catering business and renamed it the Traveling Grill.

Randy continued his love of sports and played softball for the Moorhead Merchants. He also played for the Air National Guard and competed in the national tournament that was held in Sioux City. He played 3rd base for both the slow pitch and fast pitch teams. Randy was an avid Husker fan. He also loved watching his girls play sports, show livestock, dance on the drill team, and participate in speech and music events. Randy was blessed with one granddaughter, Cady. He particularly enjoyed teaching her to read, draw and color. He also showed her how to play ball, fish, swing the golf club, and play cards. Randy was passionate about the outdoors--fishing, hunting and lots of snow. Randy's church family, the choir, and his friends were incredibly important to him. He took great pleasure in playing cards, board games, dancing and particularly teaching the two step.

Randy died on Friday, January 6, 2006, at Mercy Hospital in Sioux City, Iowa attaining the age of 53 years, 7 months, and 13 days. At the same time of Randy's death, an eight pound healthy girl was born and is now Sandy and the girls' angel.

Randy was preceded in death by his grandparents and his father, Maynard. He is survived by his wife, Sandy Olson of Moorhead, Iowa, three daughters, Stacy Helton of Soldier, Iowa, Carly and her husband Bob Snider of Onawa, Iowa, Marcy Olson of Onawa, Iowa; mother, LaQueta and her husband Neal Gorham of Soldier, Iowa; brother, Craig Olson and his wife Linda of Soldier, Iowa; one granddaughter Cady Lynne Helton of Soldier, Iowa; parents-in-laws Kenneth and his wife LaVirta Lee of Soldier, Iowa; brother-in-law Dennis his wife Nudcha Lee of Illinois; sister-in-law Vicky Lee and her partner Beliz Brother of Seattle, Washington; two nephews Aaron Olson and Derek Lee; two nieces Nina Olson and Courtney Lee; and many other relatives and friends.

Honorary pallbearers were Tom Anderson, Nick Brandon, Craig Coberly, Leonard Jensen, Tony Johnson, Bryce McDonald, Vern Melby, Steve Harris, Aaron Olson, Chuck Sandvold, Dennis Swenson, Denny Thoreson, Eric, Chase, Colton and Cody Thoreson, Kip Wilson, Trevor Wilson, Matt Clemon and Moorhead Merchants Softball Team.

Pallbearers were Jason Boyle, Russell McCall, Alan Dale, Kevin Swenson, Bob Snider, James Hagerty, Terry Heck and Terry Fey.

Fouts Funeral Home in Woodbine handled the arrangements View the video tribute at www.foutsfuneralhome.com