Olson, Omar L. 1903-1969

OLSON, FIGLAND, SAUNDERS, BRYAN

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 10/27/2009 at 17:21:45

Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register; Nov. 20, 1969

OMAR OLSON DIES AT HOME

Funeral services were held at 10:30 p.m. this morning (Thursday, Nov.20) at the United Church of Christ (Congregational) for Omar L. Olson, 66, of 1326 Elm St., who died suddenly Monday afternoon at his home of a heart condition.

The Rev. Newell E. Davis, minister of the church, officiated at the services. Organist was Mrs. R.J. Nash.

Pallbearers were Dr. Courtney Anderson, Gerald Olson, Lloyd Olson, Edgar McCracken, James R. Kolp Jr. and Richard Saunders. Honorary pallbearers were members of the Board of Trustees of the Church: Harris R. Stafford, Thomas Sawyers, Thomas R. Rebec, F.W. Tomasek, Donald Louden, S.D. Preston, Robert Mark, and Melvin Van Wechel.

Masonic graveside rites were conducted by Hoyt Woodle of Reasnor, Iowa, and members of Hermon Masonic Lodge.

Burial was in Hazelwood Cemetery with Smith Funeral Home in charge.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association Fund.

The son of Theodore and Elizabeth Serena Figland Olson, Mr. Olson was born March 4, 1903 at Worthington, Minn. His parents moved to the Grinnell area when he was young and since that time he had made his home here. He attended Grinnell high school and graduated from the Gem City Business College in Quincy, Ill.

On May 26, 1932, Mr. Olson married Helen Saunders at her parents' home in Manilla, Iowa.

Mr. Olson farmed his parents farm southeast of Grinnell for a time and later worked for Mid-Continent Petroleum at their DX station in Grinnell. He was employed by Grinnell Beverage Co. and traveled for the Lucas Paint Co. until World War II. During the war he worked on the Alcan highway with the Lundeen Construction Co.

Following the war, Mr. Olson returned to Grinnell to work at the Post Office and in 1950 he became part owner of the Queen and Olson Furniture store in Grinnell. In 1955 he began traveling as a manufacturers' representative for the Prior Products Co. of Dallas, Texas.

Mr. Olson had been a member of the United Church of Christ (Congregational) for 34 years and was a member of the Board of Trustees of the church. He was a member of the Hermon Masonic Lodge No. 273, Beulah Chapter No. 47 of the Order of Eastern Star and a number of Masonic organizations. He held membership in the Elks Lodge of Grinnell also.

Survivors include his wife Helen (Saundy); his son, Wayne; a foster daughter, Mrs. Charles (Janet) Bryan of Lynnville; two granddaughters; four foster grandchildren; a brother, Ernest T. Olson of Omaha; two aunts, Mrs. Lou Figland and Mrs. John Olson; and several cousins.

Mr. Olson was preceded in death by his father on Oct. 13, 1946; his mother on March 21, 1969, and two brothers--Otto Olson, who died at age three, and Clarence T. (Steve) Olson, who died in 1962.