Glenn Merlyn Olson 1909-2005

OLSON, EVENSON, GIBBS

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 5/1/2009 at 19:56:41

Glenn Olson
November 9, 1909 – January 29, 2005
Glenn Olson, age 95 of Dunlap, Iowa, and formerly of Mapleton died Saturday, January 29, 2005 in Dunlap.

Services were held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 1 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Dunlap with Rev. Paul Strittmatter and Deacon Marvin Klein officiating. Burial was in St. Clair Cemetery, Ute. Marilyn Grote was the musician for the service and Kathleen Schaben was the vocalist. Music was "On Eagles Wings" and "Gentle Woman".

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 operator 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 Care Center, Glenn moved to Dunlap. Alice died on September 23, 1992. Glenn became a resident of the Dunlap Care 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 January 29, 2005, at the Dunlap Care 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 Merle Olson; sister Edna and Hugh Mullin; sister-in-law Margaret Olson; and two brothers-in-law, Milford Nordaker and Vernon & Marjorie Gibbs. He is survived by his daughter Evonne and Vernal Weber of Mapleton, IA; six grandchildren Mark and Jean Hanigan of St. Louis, MO, Beth and Joseph Schaben of Dunlap, IA, Michael and Lisa Hanigan of Cedar Rapids, IA, Timothy and Christina Hanigan of Garden City, KS, Ann Hanigan-Kotz and John Kotz of Adel, IA and Sue Hanigan of San Jose, CA; 12 great-grandchildren; five step children; nine step grandchildren; one brother Maynard Olson of Onawa, IA; sister-in-law Marcella Nordaker of Ute; and many other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers were Mark Hanigan, Tim Hanigan, Joe Schaben, Michael Hanigan, John Kotz and Mitchell Schaben.

Arrangements were made under the direction of Fouts Funeral Home in Dunlap.