CLIFFORD OLSON, RANDALL, MISSING IN NORTH AFRICA
RANDALL—Clifford Olson, brother of Milo Olson and Mrs. Archie Jacobson of Randall, has been reported missing in action in north Africa, according to a message received from the war department.
Olson had been in the armed service the past 20 months. His father, Martin Olson, lives west of Story City. Besides the brother and sister at Randall, he has another brother, Floyd of Jewell and two sisters, Mrs. Russell Peterson of Ellsworth and Mrs. Carl Larson of Kenyon, Minn.
Source: Webster City Freeman, Webster City, IA - Mar. 11, 1943
Clifford Jerome ‘Cliff’ Olson was born July 18, 1913 to Martin and Belle Egland Olson. He died July 20, 2010 and is buried in Homewood Cemetery, Ellsworth, IA.
Clifford was a member of the 34th Infantry Division stationed in North Africa and was a trained radio operator. He was captured on Feb. 14, 1943 by forces under the command of General Erwin Rommel near Fiad pass and the village of Zidi Bouzid in central Tunisia. He spent the remainder of the war as a POW in Germany. He had been reported missing in action in March of 1943.
Clifford was awarded three bronze stars.
His Obituary: The Story City Herald, Story City, Story Co., Iowa, Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Clifford Jerome Olson, 97, formerly of Randall, passed away Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at Bethany Manor in Story City. Funeral services were held Friday, July 23 at 10:30 a.m. at Bethany Manor Chapel. There was a visitation of family and friends one hour prior to the service. Burial was in Homewood Cemetery, north of Ellsworth, Iowa.
Clifford Jerome Olson was born July 18, 1913 to Martin and Belle (Egland) Olson in Randall, Iowa. He graduated from Randall High School in 1930. He served in the United States Army during World War II and was awarded three Bronze Stars. Clifford was a member of the 34th Infantry Division stationed in North Africa and was a trained radio operator. He was captured on February 14, 1943 by forces under the command of General Erwin Rommel near Fiad Pass and the village of Zidi Bouzid in central Tunisia. Clifford spent the remainder of the war as a POW in Germany.
Clifford married Edna Marie Surls in 1971 in Webster City, Iowa. She passed away January 17, 1976. He then married Irene Jessen on April 5, 1980. She passed away in January 19, 1989. Clifford worked for Younglove Construction and helped build concrete grain elevators. Clifford was a member of Elim Lutheran Church in Randall and enjoyed cribbage, fishing, hunting and carpentry.
Survivors include his stepson David Brown of Des Moines, Iowa and his children Darit Brown and Kim leng Brown; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wives; four brothers, Milo Olson, Floyd Olson, Clarence Olson and Archie Olson; and four sisters, Myra Assalter, Genora Larson, Grace Jacobson and Beatrice Grieman.
Memorials may be designated to Elim Lutheran Church in Randall or Bethany Manor.
Soderstrum Funeral Home in Story City has been entrusted with arrangements.
Sources: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA
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