Olson, Vernon Thomas Lien -- 1920 - 2008
OLSON, LIEN, LOVSTUEN, BOROWSKI, FALDET, WESTENDORF, ELLINGSON, MCNEELY, TESLOW, STRAHM, SIRES, GERRANS, MCCONNELL, BLAKE, ROOF, SUTTON, GILSON, SERSLAND, SWINGLE, STOREY, ODE, GRAHAM
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 7/12/2012 at 11:58:45
Vernon T. Olson, age 88, of Decorah, IA, died Wednesday, October 8, 2008, at the Barthell Eastern Star Nursing Home in Decorah, IA,
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 12, 2008, at the Glenwood Lutheran Church rural Decorah, IA, with Pastor Douglas Mathison officiating. Burial will be in the Glenwood East Cemetery.
Friends may call on Saturday, October 11, 2008, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Schluter - Balik Funeral Home in Decorah,IA, and after 12:00 p.m. on Sunday at the church. There will be a VFW service at 6:00 p.m. Saturday.
Vernon Thomas Lien Olson was born August 18, 1920 to Julius and Laura (Lien) Olson in Springfield Township, Winneshiek County. He was baptized and confirmed at Springfield Lutheran Church. Vern attended Woodside #7 School where he graduated from the 8th grade. He farmed with his parents until enlisting in the Army in 1942. Vern served with the 163rd AAA Battalion in the South Pacific during WW II.
Following the war, he farmed with his parents and brother in Glenwood Township. It took him a few years to find “his one and only”- on September 25, 1949 he married Helen Lovstuen at Glenwood Lutheran Church with Rev. Norman Dversdahl officiating. They farmed with Helen's parents and soon purchased the family farm where they raised their children.
He enjoyed bowling and playing baseball, semi-fast softball, dartball and cards. An avid sports fan, Vern supported his family, friends and favorite teams. He was an active member of Glenwood Lutheran Church and Retired Senior Volunteer Program. Vern had a lifetime membership in Helof-Holm VFW Chapter #1977. Through reunions, visits and correspondence he remained in contact with his WW II buddies.
Vern was such a great example in so many ways as a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and neighbor. Helen is thankful for his love and companionship for these many years. We are so grateful for his life and the lasting impact that he made through his quiet faith and strength of character.
Vern’s survivors include his wife Helen and daughters: Dianne (Joel) Borowski, Decorah; Donna Faldet, Decorah; Vicki (Dave) Westendorf, Waverly, IA; Kristi (Keith) Ellingson, Indianola, IA; Linda Olson (Robin McNeely), Ames, IA and Lisa Olson (Kathy Wabner), Minneapolis, MN; sixteen grandchildren: Wade (Jennifer) Teslow, Ryan Teslow, Sarah (Ted) Strahm, Beth Borowski, Holly (Bill) Sires, Michael (Sarah) McConnell, Michelle (Pat) Blake, Felicia and Cassandra Faldet, Jordan Westendorf, Jenny (Nick) Gerrans, Tom (Lacie) Westendorf, Amy Westendorf, Jessica, Catie and Bailey Ellingson; and twelve great-grandchildren: Logan and Tierani Teslow, Hudson Strahm, Preston Sires, Collin McConnell, Brock, Abigail and Luke Blake, Jocelyn Roof and Fletcher Gerrans, Mayson and Natalie Sutton; sister Stella “Kelly” (Robert) Mitchell, Wickenburg, AZ and sister-in-law Maxine Olson, Decorah.
Vern was preceded in death by his son Randy on July 12, 1984; great-granddaughter Caitlin Sires on January 9, 2007; sisters: Agnes (Donald) Gilson, Irene (Hillman) Sersland, Viola (John) Swingle, Ruth Storey, Florence (Henry) Ode, Myrtle (Lloyd) Graham and brother Millard Olson.
Source: Schluter - Balik Funeral Home database
Glenwood East Cemetery
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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