Dick Olsen

Dick LeRoy Olsen, son of Raymond and Edna (Andersen) Olsen, was born June 16, 1935, in the town of Elk Horn, Iowa. He graduated from Elk Horn-Kimballton High School in 1953 and attended Dana College in Blair, NE, for one year. Dick was united in marriage with his high school sweetheart, Elinor Mortensen on June 24, 1955, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Kimballton. The couple had three sons: Steven, Pat, and Darin. Growing up, Dick worked for his father at Elk Horn Produce. In 1956, Dick became a partner in the business and later they changed the name to Elk Horn Brand Eggs. He ran and operated the business until he closed it in 1984. In 1988, Dick and Elinor moved to Lenox, Iowa, and Dick went to work for the USDA as an Egg Products Inspector. He worked there until his retirement in 1997. Dick and Elinor enjoyed traveling and became snowbirds during the winter months of their retirement, traveling to Arizona. He was a member of the Elk Horn Lutheran Church, Masonic Lodge, Elk Horn Town Council, and the Elk Horn-Kimballton School Board. Dick was an avid birdwatcher; the cardinal and the hummingbird being his favorites. He enjoyed fishing, bowling, golf, more golf, and especially spending time with his children and grandchildren. Dick was also known for his resilience, battling and beating lung cancer in 2000. He later battled Alzheimer's and on July 27, 2013, he moved to Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan. Elinor and Dick sincerely appreciated their niece Karla for all the extra love and support she provided them during his stay at Elm Crest. Dick passed away surrounded by his family on January 31, 2014, at the age of 78 years, 7 months and 15 days. He is preceded in death by his parents; brother Mark Olsen in 1951, and his sister Janice (Jim) Sander in 1989. Dick is survived by his loving wife Elinor, of 58 years; sons Steven Olsen of Maxwell, IA; Pat Olsen of Indianola, IA; Darin Olsen of Urbandale, IA; grandchildren Jeremy Olsen (Amber); Karlie Olsen; and Katrina Olsen; sister-in- law Sandra (Jerry) Moore; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Visitation THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2014, 10 A.M. ELK HORN LUTHERAN CHURCH ELK HORN, IOWA Funeral Service THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2014, 11 A.M. ELK HORN LUTHERAN CHURCH ELK HORN, IOWA PASTOR KEITH MENTER, OFFICIATING Music "HOW GREAT THOU ART" "THE LORD'S PRAYER" KEITH MENTER, VOCALIST NANCY WATSON, ORGANIST Urn Bearers JEREMY OLSEN KARLIE OLSEN KATRINA OLSEN Private Interment at a Later Date IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CEMETERY KIMBALLTON, IOWA