Raymond William OLSON

OLSON, SCOTT, DEGROFF, CURRENT, SALE, COX, WOODWARD, JOHNSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/8/2013 at 14:59:39

August 1, 1912 --- August 25, 2013

Visitation:
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
4:00 PM until 7:30 PM
Martin-Mattice Funeral Home
Ruthven, IA

Service:
Thursday, August 29, 2013
10:30 AM
United Methodist Church
Ruthven, IA

CLERGY
Rev. Roger Maize

CASKET BEARERS
Raymond’s Grandsons and Great Grandsons

INTERMENT
Crown Hill Cemetery, Ruthven, Iowa

Raymond William Olson, son of Orrie Embert and Viola Ann (DeGroff) Olson, was born August 1, 1912, on the family farm midway between Ruthven and Terril, Iowa, in Clay County. Raymond attended Lake Township Consolidated School throughout grade school and high school. He completed his education in eleven years, graduating in 1929. While in high school Raymond competed in Humorous Declamatory Speech Contests where he won several honors. Following high school Raymond continued his education at Iowa State University, then known as Iowa State College. He graduated in 1933 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Husbandry.

During his junior year of college Raymond met Helen Current who became his wife on December 28, 1933. Their marriage took place at Helen’s parents’ home. Their first home was northeast of Terril, Iowa. Four years later they bought a farm of their own seven miles west of Milford and moved there in March, 1938. They were blessed with four children.

After eleven years they sold their farm and made their home in Goldfield, Iowa. While living here Raymond was a 4-H leader and taught Sunday School at the Methodist Church. Three years later they decided to return to Ruthven and farming. Raymond and Helen moved to the family farm where Raymond had been born. Raymond was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Ruthven. He was a member of Lake Township Farm Bureau for over twenty five years, serving as secretary-treasurer, vice chairman and president. He also served on the Clay County and Dickinson County Farm Bureau Boards. Raymond served on the county legislative committee for Farm Bureau and felt honored to be a part of the State Resolutions Committee. In 1978 he received Farm Bureau’s “Outstanding Service to Agriculture Award”. Raymond was on the Ruthven City Council and later was elected mayor.

Raymond was active in the Republican Party serving as precinct chairman. In 1977 Raymond semi-retired and he and Helen enjoyed trips to Mississippi, the Black Hills, the Seattle World’s Fair, California, Texas, Arizona, Hawaii, Alaska, and Minnesota and Canada where they went fishing. Besides fishing, Raymond’s hobbies included doing crossword puzzles, and reading.

Raymond passed away Sunday August 25, 2013 at the Ruthven Community Care Center at the age of 101. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Helen; daughter-in-law, Dianne Olson; son-in-law, Reed Sale; sisters, Verna Cox and Fern Woodward; and two great grandchildren. He is survived by his children, Janet Sale of Creston, Iowa, Myrna (Keith) Johnson of Kellogg, Iowa, Stanley (Peggi) Olson of Engelwood, Florida, and Roger Olson of Ruthven, Iowa; twelve grandchildren; twenty four great grandchildren; eleven great-great grandchildren; a sister, Ruth Ann (Everett) Scott; as well as many other relatives and friends. Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home.

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