Olson, Glenda Fay (Stallard) -- 1947 - 2000

STALLARD, OLSON, CAMPBELL, DRAS

Posted By: IAGenWeb Volunteer
Date: 7/29/2010 at 19:30:05

Decorah Public Opinion, Tuesday, March 28, 2000

Glenda Fay Olson

Glenda Fay Olson, 53, of Decorah died Thursday, March 23, 2000 at home after a courageous battle with breast cancer.

A memorial service was held at 3 p.m. Monday, March 27 at First Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Steven M. Jacobson presiding.

The pianist was Diane Kvamme, who also accompanied soloist Sarah Voorhees in vocal selections "Wind Beneath My Wings" and "Climb Every Mountain." Congregational hymns included "I Know of a Sleep in Jesus' Name," and "Amazing Grace."

Interment was at Phelps Cemetery. The Fjelstul Funeral Home handled arrangements.

Glenda Fay (Stallard) Olson was born February 6, 1947 in Coeburn, Va. Glenda and her family moved to Plainfield, Ind, in 1960, where she graduated from Plainfield High School.

She began her college education at Indiana University and graduated in 1972, earning her Bachelor of Science Nursing Degree. She went on to work in the medical field as a nurse, medical transcriptionist and teacher. Glenda taught Ancillary Medical classes at Northeast Iowa Community College. In 1980, Glenda joined the United States Army and was stationed in Fort Leonard Wood, Miss. where she took basic-training. She was then transferred to Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas, and received advanced training in Crypto-analysis. Glenda's military career involved various facets of direct/live military intelligence missions. She also spent several years teaching NCO development courses as well as area specific classes; human intelligence, electronic intelligence communications and coding/decoding of specific military intelligence targets.

Glenda received several accolades from the Army, including the Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army of Occupation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, NCO Professional Development ribbons, and the Army Good Conduct Medal.

On December 16, 1984, Glenda married Kirsten Jon Olson in Worchester, Mass, at the Unitarian Church. Glenda and Kirsten were stationed in Berlin, Germany. Following their discharge from military service, Glenda and Kirsten lived in Iowa City, Storm Lake and Indianapolis, Ind., finally settling in Decorah.

Glenda was a member of the First Lutheran Church, Decorah.

She enjoyed getting together with family and friends, traveling, and corresponding with "far away" friends and family. Her hobbies included reading and writing poetry.

Glenda is survived by her husband, Kirsten of Decorah; her mother, Margie Stallard Hudson of Indianapolis, Ind.; her daughter, Laura (Mrs. Ken) Campbell and grandson, David Joseph "D.J." Pritt Campbell of Louisville, Ky; and one sister, Saundra (Mrs. Dave) Dras of Jamestown, Ind.

She is also survived by her father and mother-in-law, Vern and Phyllis Olson of Decorah; two brothers in-law, Clair (and Candy) Gierhart of Mayville, Wis. and Gary Olson of Cedar Rapids; two sisters-in-law, Loveta "Pert" (Mrs. Chuck) Vande Putte of Decorah and Sharon Berg of Apache Junction, Ariz. Glenda is also survived by one uncle, two aunts, four nieces, two nephews, great-nieces and nephews.

Glenda Fay Olson was preceded in death by her father, Allan Stallard, and step-father "Duke" Hudson, and her grandparents.

Transcribed by an IA GenWeb Volunteer from obituaries found in the Howard-Winneshiek Genealogy Society Library, Cresco, Iowa.