Marion Clifford “Ole” Olson, 92, of Monona, Iowa went home to heaven Sunday, November 3, 2019 at Postville Good Samaritan Society in Postville, Iowa.
Marion was born July 13, 1927 to Henry T. and Clara (Ostlie) Olson on the family farm near Gunder, Iowa. He was baptized August 14, 1927 and was confirmed June 29, 1941 at Marion Lutheran Church in Gunder, Iowa. He attended Central School in the country near Elgin, Iowa. Ole graduated in 1948 from Elgin Watchmaker’s College in Elgin, Illinois. After graduation he apprenticed for two years at Lange’s Jewelry in Decorah, Iowa.
Marion was united with the “love of his life”, Fern Torsrud on January 2, 1949 at Norway Lutheran Church in St. Olaf, Iowa. Ole and Fern moved to Clermont where Fern opened a beauty shop and Ole went to work for 1 ½ years for his brother, Milo, in his jewelry store, Olson Jewelry, in Elgin, Iowa. In 1952 Marion and Fern moved from Clermont to Monona where they enjoyed owning and operating Olson’s Jewelry for 48 years. Ole especially enjoyed fixing and creating family heirlooms, repairing the “impossible” and bringing smiles to people’s faces when he helped them pick out that “perfect” gift for their loved ones.
In 1959 Marion and Fern built a home at 512 West Center St. in Monona where they raised their three children, Carol, Mary Jo and Jim. They were blessed with 70 years of marriage.
Ole had a strong faith and was a very active member of his church throughout his lifetime. He sang in the church choir, held leadership positions on church committees and went to the early morning men’s bible studies. He was a charter member of Faith Lutheran NALC.
Ole loved being involved in the community he lived in. He held offices and was in numerous community and athletic activities throughout his lifetime. He sponsored and played on the Monona Businessmen Softball team in the 50’s and 60’s and bowled every Tuesday Night at Hi-Way Lanes in Postville for over 50 years. In 1989 he was inducted into the Postville Bowling Association “Hall of Fame. “ Offices Marion held were President of Tri-City Golf Course, President of the Postville Bowling Association, President of the Monona Commercial and Kiwanis Clubs and being a Director of the State Jeweler’s Association.
Ole and Fern treasured the times they were honored to be the 2000 Germanfest Senior Citizen King and Queen and the 2018 Monona Hay Days King and Queen.
Family and friends were very important to Ole. He loved spending time with them fishing on the Mississippi and in Canada, golfing, bowling, dancing, playing cards and games, traveling (especially Norway and Alaska), attending children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren activities, grilling, making lefse, riding his motorbike, waterskiing, watching and cheering for the Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeyes, enjoying conversation over a good cup of coffee and laughing at good jokes and stories (especially Ole and Lena).
The family is eternally grateful for the love and outstanding care and concern they received from their Faith Lutheran Church family in Monona, IA, Garden View Place in Monona, IA, Good Samaritan Society in Postville, IA and the St. Croix Hospice.
Cherishing the “sparkle” in his eyes and his hearty laugh and smile are his wife of 70 years, Fern, daughter and son-in-law , Carol and Jeff Akey of Hiawatha, IA, daughter and son-in-law Mary Jo and Larry Moore of Postville, IA, son and daughter-in-law Jim and Darla Olson of Chanhassen, MN; ten grandchildren Amber (Layne) Stark of Cedar Rapids, IA, Ryan (Dani) Allan of Ames, IA, Eric (Kelsey) Allan of Des Moines, IA, Jacob (Lindsey) Moore of Ames, IA, Andy (Emily) Moore of Waukon, IA, Mike (Beth) Moore of West Des Moines, IA, Matthew (Beca) Moore of Cedar Rapids, IA, Nicholas (Kristina) Olson of Chanhassen, MN, Anna (Brian) Gradwohl of Ann Arbor, MI, Spencer (Hannah) Olson of Madison, WI; sixteen great-grandchildren, Aria and Thea Stark, Rubi, Wesley and Brady Allan, Gemma Allan, Aubrey, Elise, Charlotte, Jackson, Maxwell, Abigail, Gabriel and Lucia Moore, Micah Olson and Everett Gradwohl; sisters-in-laws Jan Olson, Belva Olson and Donna Torsrud and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Marion was welcomed into heaven by his parents, Henry and Clara Olson, brothers, Hiram, Gerald, Milo, Don and sister, Clarine (Lloyd) Schutte and many friends and relatives.
Visitation will be held at the Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Monona, IA on Monday, Nov. 11, 2019 from 4 to 7 p.m. and one hour prior to the memorial service on Tuesday at the church.
The memorial service will be held Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Monona, IA.
Burial will follow in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Monona, Iowa.
Leonard – Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Monona, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements.