Merlin L. Olson 1930-2012

HENDERSON OLSON SMITH

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/6/2012 at 13:59:34

Sioux City Journal
June 18, 2012

Merlin L. Olson, 82, of Sioux City passed away Friday, June 15, 2012, at a local care facility.

Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel. Online condolences can be directed to meyerbroschapels.com.

Merlin was born the son of John and Wilamena (Henderson) Olson on March 21, 1930 in Moorhead, Iowa.

He married Bonnie L. Smith on Jan. 27, 1950. Merlin honorably served his country in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953. He worked at many dealerships and was a mechanic specializing in transmissions.

In his younger years, Merlin enjoyed helping to build and race dragsters. He was an avid gardener and his specialties included flowers and tomatoes. Merlin and Bonnie loved to travel. When Merlin was able to relax and retire from Sioux City Ford, he always had a big smile on his face. He was a good father and grandfather and will be sadly missed by his children and grandchildren.

Merlin is survived by his children, Steve, Doug and Judy Olson of Sioux City, and Rich of Brookings, S.D.; grandchildren, David Olson of Castle Rock, Colo., and Jimmie and Matt Olson of Sioux City; great-grandchildren, Reece and Livie Olson of Castle Rock; brothers, Dale, Vern and Jim Olson of Sioux City, and Ron Olson of Le Mars, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Bonnie; one grandson, Michael; one sister, Iona Wood; and one brother, Jerry Olson.