OBITUARY: Lionel W. Olson, 1926-2004, Mitchell County, Iowa

[Adapted from:  Mitchell County Press-News  online - Posted Jan. 28, 2004]



                           Lionel W. Olson

Funeral services for Lionel W. Olson, 77, of Osage, were held Friday,
Jan. 23, 2004, at the First United Methodist Church in Osage, Iowa, with
Rev. Jay Amundson officiating. Interment was in the Osage Cemetery with
Military Honors at the grave by Osage American Legion Post 278.

Lionel died Monday Jan. 19, 2004, at the Mitchell County Regional Health
Center in Osage.

Lionel was born December 8, 1926 in Bonesteel, South Dakota, the son of
Emil and Margaret (Hartsock) Olson. He attended school in Omaha, Nebraska.
He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He married Muriel Wright
on August 26, 1950 in Osage. Lionel was employed by Western Electric,
Inc. as a central office telephone equipment installer. While he was
employed there, he also served as a union steward for the Communication
Workers of America. He was a member and past Commander of Osage American
Legion Post 278 and its Burial Honor Guard, a life member of the American
Legion, a life member of the Veterans of Foreign War, and a member of
the Osage Masonic Lodge 102 A.F. & A.M. Lionel assisted with Boy Scout
Troop 63 and received the Order of the Arrow from the Boy Scouts of
America. He assisted with the Osage Precisionnaires Drum and Bugle
Corp, working with the rifle and flag corp.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Barbara Wright
in 2002, one sister Margaret McFarland and one brother Ronald Olson.

Lionel is survived by five sons: Douglas Olson and his wife Linda of
Waterloo, Iowa, Richard Olson and his wife Carol of Waterloo, Jeffrey Olson
and his wife Lory of Hutchinson, Minnesota, William Olson of Hutchinson,
Minnesota, and James Olson of Tampa, Florida, and seven grandchildren.

Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage (641)732-3706, was in charge of
arrangements.
                           

     Copyright 2004, K.L. Kittleson