Obituary for James Alfred "Jim" Olson
James Alfred Olson, 88 of Marcus passed away July 18, 2019 at Heartland Care Center in Marcus. Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 am Monday July 22, 2019 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Marcus, Iowa. Visitation will be from 2-7 pm Sunday at the Earnest Johnson Funeral Home in Marcus with family present from 5-7 pm and a prayer service at 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue at 10:00 am Monday at the Church.
Jim Olson was born on January 4, 1931 in Le Mars, Iowa to Elmer Carl Erick & Clara Lydia (Ilten) Olson. On February 25, 1951 he married Lorna Viola Gottsche at Christ Lutheran Church in Remsen. Jim farmed for 30 years, managed a convenience store for 7 years and spent 14 years at Olson Garage. He was baptized, confirmed, and a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where he served as a trustee.
Jim Olson wanted you all to know how to get to heaven. What Jim wanted more than anything was for his children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren to know how to get to heaven.
His love was Lorna, his pride was his children, and his joy was his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Rev. Wittkop instructed him in the scriptures, and he never stopped searching them. His was a stalwart faith. He was proud to have served Trinity as a trustee. He was proud of his family who serve in the church. Jim, with Lorna, raised his family on the farm, most of which the children are grateful for. He never tired of telling of the adventures he later had running a convenience store in Texas. When they moved back to Iowa, you could find him at Olson Garage, greeting customers, answering the phone, "helping." More than a few decades ago, many enjoyed listening to him announce for the Marcus Merchants. "Winner, Winner, Chicken dinner," if you were lucky. He enjoyed fishing any chance he got, especially his trips to Canada with his sons and brothers. When the grandchildren came along, most spent time with him on the porch swing, "Just a Swingin." When the great grandchildren came along, his heart overflowed. He loved their hugs and kisses, loved watching them play ball, loved their varied talents, and loved their visits. He enjoyed a little whiskey in his coffee. He enjoyed playing cards. He was charming, intelligent, stubborn, a sympathetic ear, your greatest supporter, forgiving, loving. He was a sinner, and he knew it. He believed that Christ died for his sins.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 68 years, Lorna Olson, children; Constance (Al) Sand of Cleghorn, Steven (Mary) Olson of Marcus, Richard (LaDonna) Olson of Odebolt, Michael (Tammy) Olson of Quimby, Jean (Jeff) Sassman of Storm Lake, 13 grandchildren plus step-grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren plus step-greatgrandchildren and foster great-grandchildren., brothers; Robert & John Olson of Jacksonville, NC and Paul (Norma) Olson of Gastonia, NC
He was preceded in death by his parents, son; James Olson, and a great-grandchild Peyton Almagno.
Jim Olson was born on January 4, 1931 in Le Mars, Iowa to Elmer Carl Erick & Clara Lydia (Ilten) Olson. On February 25, 1951 he married Lorna Viola Gottsche at Christ Lutheran Church in Remsen. Jim farmed for 30 years, managed a convenience store for 7 years and spent 14 years at Olson Garage. He was baptized, confirmed, and a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where he served as a trustee.
Jim Olson wanted you all to know how to get to heaven. What Jim wanted more than anything was for his children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren to know how to get to heaven.
His love was Lorna, his pride was his children, and his joy was his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Rev. Wittkop instructed him in the scriptures, and he never stopped searching them. His was a stalwart faith. He was proud to have served Trinity as a trustee. He was proud of his family who serve in the church. Jim, with Lorna, raised his family on the farm, most of which the children are grateful for. He never tired of telling of the adventures he later had running a convenience store in Texas. When they moved back to Iowa, you could find him at Olson Garage, greeting customers, answering the phone, "helping." More than a few decades ago, many enjoyed listening to him announce for the Marcus Merchants. "Winner, Winner, Chicken dinner," if you were lucky. He enjoyed fishing any chance he got, especially his trips to Canada with his sons and brothers. When the grandchildren came along, most spent time with him on the porch swing, "Just a Swingin." When the great grandchildren came along, his heart overflowed. He loved their hugs and kisses, loved watching them play ball, loved their varied talents, and loved their visits. He enjoyed a little whiskey in his coffee. He enjoyed playing cards. He was charming, intelligent, stubborn, a sympathetic ear, your greatest supporter, forgiving, loving. He was a sinner, and he knew it. He believed that Christ died for his sins.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 68 years, Lorna Olson, children; Constance (Al) Sand of Cleghorn, Steven (Mary) Olson of Marcus, Richard (LaDonna) Olson of Odebolt, Michael (Tammy) Olson of Quimby, Jean (Jeff) Sassman of Storm Lake, 13 grandchildren plus step-grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren plus step-greatgrandchildren and foster great-grandchildren., brothers; Robert & John Olson of Jacksonville, NC and Paul (Norma) Olson of Gastonia, NC
He was preceded in death by his parents, son; James Olson, and a great-grandchild Peyton Almagno.