Eugene Olson

1944 - 2021

Eugene "Toby" Raymond Olson July 19, 1944 - January 29, 2021 Eugene "Toby" Raymond Olson was born July 19, 1944 to Oluf and Helen (Wessel) Olson at their family home in rural Dow City, Iowa. He was baptized into the Lutheran faith on October 22, 1944. He was confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Dow City on May 1, 1960. The family lived in the Dow City area where Toby attended Dow City Community School until 1960 when they moved to Denison. He attended Denison Community School and graduated on May 24, 1962. Toby joined the United States National Guard and after his training was completed, he attended Fort Dodge Community College graduating with a business management degree. Through the years, Toby lived in Iowa, Missouri, Colorado and Oregon. He raised hogs, worked on a dude ranch, was assistant grocery store manager and owned a gas station and bar and grill. He also worked at Eventide Lutheran Home before his retirement. Toby never had kids but that didn't stop him from enjoying all the kids in the family. He spent many evenings around his fire pit roasting hot dogs and making smores with them. He was an avid gardener; sharing his knowledge and the fruits of his labor with family and friends. Toby was blessed to have two amazing neighbors to swap stories, knowledge and work through the years. Toby passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Friday, January 29, 2021 at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison attaining the age of seventy-six years, six months and ten days. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ole and Helen; infant brother, Lyle Laverne; brother, Gordon Olson; brother-in-law, Rex Siemer; great-niece, Maggie Olson. He is survived by two brothers, Bob Olson and his wife Roseann of Deloit and Wayne Olson of Spickard, Missouri; four sisters, Dona Siemer of Spickard, Missouri, Diana and her husband Lonnie Blunk of Princeton, Missouri, Debbie and her husband Creston Schubert of Galva, Iowa, and Cindy and her husband Ron Hoffmeier of Denison. He is also survived by 9 nieces, 14 nephews and many other relatives and friends, especially Sonny and Butch. Funeral Services were held 10:00 AM, Monday, February 8 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Schleswig, Iowa. Rev. Kurt Kaiser officiated the service with interment in Soldier Lutheran Cemetery in Soldier, Iowa. Organist Marlene Hight provided accompaniment for vocalist Felisha Bertrand singing "Amazing Grace" and for congregational hymns, "On Eagle's Wings" and "The Old Rugged Cross." Serving as honorary pallbearers were Kelly Bertrand, Cory Blunk, Chris Blunk, Amy Hoffmeier, Stacy Jepsen, Kathy Miller, Ronnie Olson, Heather Pribble, Rashelle Rickers, Tara Ruble, Regina Schau, Tyler Schubert, Jason Siemer, Jeff Siemer, Todd Siemer, Michael Watje and Christina Wyatt. Serving as pallbearers were Chad Blunk, Josh Hoffmeier, Mike Olson, Rod Olson, Jeremy Schubert and Ronnie Siemer. Military Honors were members of the Soldier American Legion Post 462 and Iowa Army National Guard with Taps played by Jamie Jo Jepsen. Following the committal service, the family invited everyone to the fellowship hall for fellowship and lunch. The Huebner Funeral Home in Denison was in charge of arrangements.