Russell J. Olson 1934 - 2008

OLSON, RUDE, TOFTNESS

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 5/29/2019 at 18:48:06

Mapleton Press
30 October 2008

Russell J. Olson, 73, of Omaha. NE, passed away Thursday, October 9th, 2008, of complications from open heart surgery earlier this year.

Jerry, as he was known while growing up in Monona County, was born in Soldier, IA, on November 16th, 1934, to Olius and Anna (Rude) Olson. Jerry graduated from Mapleton High School in 1953, and was joined in marriage on August 11th, 1956, to his beloved wife of 51 years, the late Donna B. Toftness.

Jerry spent his career in sales and sales management for a number of companies, including Boyle-Midway, Helene Curtis, Revlon, and Bonne Bell. Jerry was a vice-president and an officer of the company for Bonne Bell, with responsibility for the entire United States. Upon retirement from Bonne Bell, Jerry founded and successfully operated two small businesses with his wife Donna, Homebuyer's Publishing and Russ Olson and Associates.

Jerry was preceded in death by his wife Donna in August 2007, brother Vernon Olson, and sister Marva Holtorf.

He is survived by his son Steve Olson of Omaha, son Bill and daughter in law Linda Olson and grandsons Tyler, Eric, and Alex of Kansas City, son Joe and daughter in law Debbie Olson and grand-daughter Nicole of Omaha, and son Kurt Olson of Omaha.

He is also survived by his sister Maribelle Betterton and her husband Dick Betterton of Cedar Falls, IA, sister Marilyn Argotsinger and her husband Jack of Nevada, IA, sister-in-law Opal Olson of Mapleton, sister-in-law Sharon (Toftness) Zahm and husband Dick Zahm of Omaha, brother-in-law Richard Toftness of Kansas City, brother-in-law Bud Holtorf of Phoenix, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jerry never knew a stranger, and always considered Monona County his true home, even after his career led him to all parts of the country. Jerry took a trip with one of his sons in June of this year to the church of his baptism, the Soldier Lutheran Country Church True to form, he ran into some of his cousins, and several classmates that he hadn't seen in years, and visited as though they'd all seen each other the day before.

He will be greatly missed by his family, and everyone that knew him