Lester Olson

Lester R. “Ole” Olson, age 89, of Decorah, IA, died Monday, February 24, 2020 at Wellington Place in Decorah. Memorial Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 7, 2020 at First Lutheran Church in Decorah with Rev. Melissa Bills officiating. Inurnment will be in Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah in the spring. Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, one hour before the service, at First Lutheran Church. The service will be followed by a luncheon. Lester Raymond Olson was born May 7, 1930 in Decorah, Iowa, the son of Alfred C. and Marie T. (Kvam) Olson. He was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran in Decorah. Lester graduated from Decorah High School with the class of 1949. He was united in marriage to Ruth M. (Meyer) Olson on September 30, 1961 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in New Albin, IA. This union was blessed with two children: Joan and Alan. In 1950 he volunteered for the Army serving as a paratrooper, later he worked as an employee of the Postal Service for some 29 years until his retirement. Lester was a lifelong member of First Lutheran Church. He enjoyed a passion for cards, hunting and fishing, along with other outdoor activities. An excellent bowler, he had several perfect games. A skilled wood worker and carpenter he spent time in his retirement remodeling the Olson home. “Ole” also greatly enjoyed the company of his family, friends and acquaintances. Lester became a resident of Wellington Place in 2015. He passed there on Monday February 24, 2020 at the age of 89 years. He was preceded in death by his wife, of more than 46 years, Ruth, on July 21, 2008; his parents; his sister Gerda (Nelson-Olson) Sersland; and his brother Arnold Olson. He is survived by his two children Joan M. Olson of Omaha, NE, Alan P. (Lynn Bielby) Olson of Decorah, his sister-in-law, Belva Kruse of Eitzen, MN; and two grandchildren, Mitchell Allen (Joan Olson) Creamer and Samantha Ruth (Joan Olson) Creamer. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Humane Society of Northeast Iowa (HSNEI), 2345 Millennium Road, Decorah, IA 52101.