Clifford Jerome Olson (1913=2010)

OLSON, EGLAND, SURLS, JESSEN, BROWN, ASSALTER, LARSON, JACOBSON, GRIEMAN

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 8/31/2010 at 09:16:43

The Story City Herald, Story City, Story County, Iowa, Wednesday, July 28, 2010.

Clifford Jerome Olson, 97, formerly of Randall, passed away Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at Bethany Manor in Story City. Funeral services were held Friday, July 23 at 10:30 a.m. at Bethany Manor Chapel. There was a visitation of family and friends one hour prior the service. Burial was in Homewood Cemetery, north of Ellsworth, Iowa.

Clifford Jerome Olson was bom July 18, 1913 to Martin and Belle (Egland) Olson in Randall, Iowa. He graduated from Randall High School in 1930. He served in the United States Army during World War II and was awarded three Bronze Stars. Clifford was a member of the 34th Infantry Division stationed in North Africa and was a trained radio operator. He was captured on February 14, 1943 by forces under the command of General Erwin Rommel near Fiad Pass and the village of Zidi Bouzid in central Tunisia. Clifford spent the remainder of the war as a POW in Germany.

Clifford married Edna Marie Surls in 1971 in Webster City, Iowa. She passed away January 17, 1976. He then married Irene Jessen on April 5, 1980. She passed away in January 19, 1989. Clifford worked for Younglove Construction and helped build concrete grain elevators. Clifford was a member of Elim Lutheran Church in Randall and enjoyed cribbage, fishing, hunting, and carpentry.

Survivors include his stepson David Brown of Des Moines, Iowa and his children Darit Brown and Kim leng Brown; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wives; four brothers, Milo Olson, Floyd Olson, Clarence Olson, and Archie Olson; and four sisters, Myra Assalter, Genora Larson, Grace Jacobson, and Beatrice Grieman.

Memorials may be designated to Elim Lutheran Church in Randall or Bethany Manor.

Soderstrum Funeral Home in Story City has been entrusted with arrangements.