Dec. 18, 1923 - Oct. 29, 2012
GRANGER - Robert Harold Olson Jr., 88, of Granger, died at 10:20 p.m., Oct. 29, at The Hearth at Juday Creek after an illness of 9 days. Bob was born Dec. 18, 1923, in Chicago, to Robert H. Olson Sr. and Cora Belle (Zink) Olson. On July 31, 1943, in Hinsdale, Ill., he married Eleanor M. Maas. She died Nov. 29, 2010. He is survived by six children, Barbara (Larry) Weaver of Granger; Mary L. (Steven) Prince of South Bend; Nancy L. (John) Lemley of Elkhart; Robert H. Olson III (Rita) of Granger; Bernard W. "Bill" Olson (Chris) of Zionsville, Ind.; and Charles Olson (Rosemary) of Granger. Also surviving are 16 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. Bob grew up in Hinsdale and married his high school sweetheart when he was 19 and she was 18. A lifelong car lover, his first job was working at the local gas station. He was then employed by the former Kroehler Manufacturing Co., Naperville, Ill., working in the furniture factory. After becoming a sales representative for Kroehler, he moved his family to Salt Lake City in the early 1950s, then returning to the Midwest in the early 1960s when the family settled in South Bend. He achieved the goal of Million Dollar Sales Representative and retired at the age of 55. He and Elle then sold their home in South Bend and traveled the country in their motor home for five years. The next 20 years they lived in Melbourne Beach, Fla., golfing and watching the Dodgers at Vero Beach, Fla. He was a former member of the Morris Park Country Club, South Bend, and Four Lakes Country Club, Edwardsburg. He also had been an adjunct professor at Indiana University Fort Wayne, teaching interior design. He and Elle started attending Notre Dame football games soon after they arrived in South Bend, back in the days when fans dressed up and the games were a social event. At one time, he had a list of every car he ever owned. He remembered where he bought a car, how much he paid for it, and which of his children put a ding in it. He always had enough money to do what he wanted, he raised six healthy children and he was married 67 years to a woman he adored. He led a fortunate life. Friends may call from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday at McGann Hay Granger Chapel, 13260 Indiana 23. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday. Cremation has taken place. Memorial contributions may be made to Harbor Light Hospice, 1608 E. Day Road, Mishawaka, IN 46545.