Frank J. Olsan (1859-1950)

OLSAN, DANEK, SWATOSH

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/5/2023 at 16:09:22

From Nevada Evening Journal November 25, 1950 (page 4 )

Services Friday For Father of Nevada Man, 91

AMES -- Funeral services were held Friday for a pioneer Ames florist who died at Webster City.

He was Frank J. Olsan, 91, of Tampa, Fla., who established the Olsan greenhouse here many years ago and who built the building which now houses the State Cafe and the Orning Glass company, and southwest corner of Main and Burnett.

Mr. Olsan died in the Webster city hospital. He had been visiting a daughter in Webster City when taken ill.

Born on Feb. 17, 1859 in Moravia, Mr. Olsan came to this country in 1889, settling first at Iowa City. Later he moved west, but returned to Council Bluffs in 1891 and came to Ames in 1897.

After conducting a greenhouse and florist business in Ames for many years, he sold out to three of the sons and retired and since that time had been living in Florida.

Four of his children still are florists.

Mr. Olsan was married to Mary Danek in Moravia. Mrs. Olsan died in 1921.

Among the survivors are two daughters, Mrs. Lydia Swatosh, of Ruthven, Ia., and Erma Olsan, of Webster City, six sons, Milos of Tampa and Nevada, Lumer of Springfield, Ill., George of Des Moines, Charles, William and Frank, all of Ames. Charles, George, Milos and Erma are florists. In addition, there are 13 great-grandchildren.

Services were held at the Adams Chapel at 3:30 p. m. Friday, with Rev. W. Murray Allan in charge.

Burial was in the Ames municipal cemetery.