Robert S. Olsen 1917--2011

OLSEN FJELLIN SCHWEDLER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 6/29/2011 at 16:28:30

Sioux City Journal
1 March 2011

SIOUX CITY -- Robert Olsen, 93, of Sioux Falls, S.D., formerly of Sioux City, died Feb. 25, 2011, at his home.

Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Miller Funeral Home, 507 S. Main Ave., in Sioux Falls. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, with military rites by American Legion Post 15. Visitation will begin at noon today at the funeral home. The family will be present to greet friends one hour prior to the funeral service.

Robert S. Olsen was born Sept. 16, 1917, in Omaha, Neb., to Severt and Lydia (Fjellin) Olsen. He graduated from Omaha Tech High School. Just before entering the U.S. Army during World War II, Bob met his future wife, Vi, in Sioux City. He asked Vi for her address, then following his discharge from service, the two were reunited.

Bob married Viola H. Schwedler on April 22, 1945, in Sioux City. Bob became an insurance adjuster and agent. The couple lived in Sioux City and Omaha, and in the early 1960s moved to Sioux Falls. He began working for his uncle at the Fjellin Agency, and eventually purchased the business. Bob retired in the early 1990s after selling the agency.

Bob and Vi liked spending time at Falls Park, and enjoyed taking day trips around the area. He loved Sioux Falls and was fascinated watching the growth of the city over the years. Bob was a man who liked to reminisce and could recall with clarity, the days gone by. He enjoyed opportunities telling others about his experience in the U.S. Army, where he served in the Persian Gulf Command during World War II. Friendly and entertaining, Bob enjoyed visiting with friends and would never turn down an offer to have a cup of coffee and a slice of pie.

Grateful for having shared his life are his grandson, James McNamara III of Shawnee, Okla.; great-grandchildren, Kimberlee, Kamber, James IV, and Kasadee McNamara of Omaha; and several cousins and special friends.