William L. Olson, of Armstrong, died Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, at Valley Vue Care Center in Armstrong, just short of his 102nd birthday.
William was born on March 22, 1922, on the Gibbs family farm south of Armstrong to Leonard and Louise (Gibbs) Olson. He attended Armstrong schools until 8th grade when he started working. In 1942 he joined the US Army and served as a military policeman before he was honorably discharged. He went on to work a variety of jobs, picking up the skills that would make him handy in every sense of the word.
William welded in shipyards in Portland, OR, built airplanes in Wichita, KS, and eventually went to mechanic school at John Deere to work for the local implement dealer in Ringsted. In 1950 he began his farming career by renting the Pete Gaarde farm.
On February 10, 1951, at The Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, his “Sweetheart,” Donna Jurczewsky. A few years later he rented Jim Edward’s farm near Halfa where he farmed and raised livestock. In 1963 he bought the Knipe farm on highway 9 where they lived until moving to Armstrong in 1994. The farm continues to be operated by the family today. William loved farming, dancing, playing cards, was an avid John Deere collector, enjoyed traveling to Vero Beach to watch the LA Dodgers, and most of all spending time with family.
William belonged to the First Presbyterian Church of Ringsted. He was very proud of his Gibbs/Richmond heritage that founded the Armstrong First Presbyterian Church.
William is survived by his loving wife Donna of Armstrong; children Deb (Gary) Olson of Clarion, Connie (Dan) Miller of Terril, Cindy (Mike) Iris of Armstrong, Randy (Lindy) Olson of Ringsted, and Larry (Lisa) Olson of Armstrong; 17 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; brother Alvin Olson of Iowa City; sisters-in-law June Jurczewsky of Elizabeth, CO and Ruth Jurczewsky of Los Angeles, CA; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brother Willis and Florence Olson; brother Norman and Margaret Olson; sister Lorene and Clifford Gangsted; infant sister Marjorie Belle; sister-in-law Mary Ann Olson; and brothers-in-law Jim and Gary Jurczewsky.
In lieu of flowers and plants, memorial contributions are preferred to be donated to local causes.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, at the First Presbyterian Church in Ringsted. A burial with military honors followed at Armstrong Grove Cemetery. Visitation was Wednesday at the church.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.henryolsonfuneral.com.
