Thomas Olson (1942-2018)

OLSON, FORD, KNUDSON, KLOCKE, SPARKS, MOORE, FATLAND

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:11

Obituary From Adams Soderstrum Funeral Home, Story County, Iowa.

Thomas Olson, age 75, of West Des Moines, passed away February 20, 2018 at Kavanagh House in Des Moines. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, March 1 at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Ames. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 2, also at Bethesda. Burial will follow at the Ames Municipal Cemetery.

Thomas Olson was born August 22, 1942 to Walter and Violet (Ford) Olson at Mary Greeley Hospital in Ames. Thomas graduated from Ballard High School in 1960 and worked 48 years as a cartographer for the Iowa Department of Transportation. Thomas married Charlene Knudson on February 12, 1972 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Des Moines.

Thomas lived life grounded in the belief that faith in God and love of family are most important, and his loyalty, pride, and devotion to his faith and family were felt by all those who loved him. He was a charismatic man who could strike up a conversation with anyone - keeping lifelong friends while meeting new friends along the way each day. He was driven by curiosity, and he pursued knowledge by reading, thinking, and debating, whether around the dinner table or out to coffee with friends. He was proud of his work with the DOT, and he cherished the friendships he developed there. Thomas enjoyed annual trips to the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado with his family, where he rejoiced in the natural beauty of God’s creation through hiking and relaxation. He was inspired by music, and he sought out opportunities to hear it live both around home and on vacation. Thomas viewed every day as a chance to appreciate life a little more, and that spirit of gratitude carried on until the day he passed.

Thomas is survived by his wife, Charlene Olson of West Des Moines; his daughters, Andrea (Chris) Klocke and their children, Norah and Stella of Ames and Emily (Jason) Sparks and their children, Braxton, Liliana, Griffin and Georgia of Waukee; his siblings, Linda Moore of Ames, Dwight (Lou) Olson of Adel, Janet (Roy) Fatland of Ames and Walter (Cheryl) Olson of Waterloo; and a large extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister.

Funeral Service
Friday 2 Mar 10:00 AM
Bethesda Lutheran Church (Ames)
1517 Northwestern Avenue
Ames, Iowa 50010

Graveside
Friday 2 Mar 11:00 AM
Ames Municipal Cemetery
310 E 9th St.
Ames, IA IA 5001

http://www.adamssoderstrum.com/
 

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