Harold Olson, Sr.

Harold Olson, Sr. Funeral Service WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2009, 10:30 A.M. OHDE FUNERAL HOME, MANILLA, IOWA Officiating REV. PAUL FRANK TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH, MANILLA, IOWA Music "OLD RUGGED CROSS" CONGREGATION "HOW GREAT THOU ART" "ON EAGLE'S WINGS" GARY HANSEN, VOCALIST SARA STRACKE, ACCOMPANIST Casket Bearers MIKE BARRY SCOTT THORELL KENNETH SOENEN STAN SPIES LYNN OLSON LAURA OLSON KATELYN OLSON JACKIE OLSON JESSICA WARNEKE Interment NISHNABOTNA CEMETERY MANILLA, IOWA Harold Albert, son of Ben and Lillie (Ehlers) Olson, was born November 15, 1920 at home on the farm near Manilla in Crawford County, Iowa. Harold attended school in Manilla. Upon finishing his schooling, Harold helped on the family farm and took a job driving truck. While on a delivery to the Christensen farm, Harold met his future wife, Beverly. Harold and Beverly Christensen were married on January 1, 1941 in Manilla. Two children were born to this union. Harold joined the United States Navy in 1942 and proudly served as a Seabee. He was stationed in Virginia and Rhode Island, then Newfoundland for one year. Harold had a stopover at Pearl Harbor before going on to the Philippines. Harold was honorably discharged in 1945. After returning from the Navy, Harold started to drive a cream truck, which he eventually purchased and founded Olson's Produce. Together with his wife, they built the business and added milk trucks, feed trucks and sold many items in their store. Their annual Customer Appreciation Days was well attended and many pancakes were served. Harold retired in 1985 when his son and grandson took over the business. He and Beverly enjoyed camping at Spirit Lake on the weekends to relax. Harold was a member of the United Church in Manilla and of the Manilla Development Corporation. He helped raise funds to build the Manilla Manor Nursing Home and senior citizen housing. Harold was also a member of the American Legion Post 132 in Manilla. When Harold's health began to fail in 2005 he became a resident of the Manilla Manor Nursing Home where he died on Sunday, November 15, 2009, at the age of 89 years. Preceding Harold in death are his parents, sister Bernice Plooster and daughter-in-law Judith Olson. He is survived by his wife Beverly Olson of Manilla; two children Harold Olson, Jr. and fiancé Linda Schnuettgen of Denison and Sharon and husband Charles Sass of Wellington, FL; two grandchildren Lynn and wife Karen Olson of Manilla and Rhonda and husband Scott Thorell of Holdrege, NE; four great-grandchildren: Laura Olson, Katelyn Olson, Jackie Olson and Jessica Warneke; other relatives and friends.