Bertha Jane Olson, 92, of Clermont, Iowa died Monday, November 4, 2019 at Allen Hospital, Waterloo, Iowa. She was born March 14, 1927 to Elliott and Olivia (Olson) Olson on a farm near Clermont, Iowa.
Bertha graduated from Clermont High School in 1944 as class valedictorian. She attended business college in Davenport, Iowa.
Bertha was married to C. Franklin Olson on November 3, 1946 in the West Clermont Lutheran Church. They had three sons, Craig, Rodney and Scott. Bertha and Frank were married for nearly 56 years. While raising their family, they lived in Waterloo and Altoona, Iowa. Bertha worked as a stay-at-home mom and held positions at AMF Bowling Company and Townsend Engineering in Des Moines. Following their retirement in 1986, they moved to Clermont.
During their marriage, Bertha and Frank enjoyed traveling throughout the United States. Bertha loved spending time with her family, especially family vacations every year in Wisconsin.
Bertha had a strong sense of community and said of Clermont, “I want to give back something for all of the good things that have happened to me here.” She and Frank assisted in several community development and restoration projects. They helped with the Larrabee School renovation, the reopening of Montauk, the Clermont Opera House renovation and, thinking that Clermont needed an anchor restaurant, worked with others to keep the Valhalla open. They are past recipients of the Governor’s Volunteer Award.
Bertha is survived by her three sons, Craig (Ilean) Olson of Pella, Rodney (Maureen) Olson of West Des Moines and Scott Olson of Des Moines; four grandchildren, Neil (Cynthia) Olson of Ankeny, Heidi (Adam) Hirschy of Clive, Scott Olson of Iowa City and Katie (Andy) Collmann of Waukee; and ten great-grandchildren, Taya, Ella, Avry, Eden, Nia, Judah, Israel, Bennett, Bryn and Benjamin.
Bertha was preceded in death by her husband, Frank, her parents, three brothers, Richard, Aines and Mervin Olson and three sisters, Myra Stolle, Minnie Jungblut and Vera Mae Olson.
Visitation will be on Monday, November 11, 2019 from 4-7 pm at West Clermont Lutheran Church, Clermont, Iowa and one hour before services at the church on Tuesday.
Funeral Services will be at 11:00 am on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at West Clermont Lutheran Church, Clermont, Iowa.
Inurnment will be at a later date.
Relatives and friends are invited to join the family for fellowship and lunch, which will be served in the church basement following the service.
We’re all sad that Bertha is gone but take great joy in the fact that you knew and loved her.
Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Clermont, Iowa is helping the family with the arrangements.
Memorials in Bertha’s honor may be sent to West Clermont Lutheran Church, Clermont, Iowa.