Obituary published on Legacy.com by Bailey-Howard Funeral Home of Clyde on Jun. 10, 2023.
Daryl Devere Olsen, whose long and bountiful life found lasting contentment in the shade of a pecan grove in Clyde, passed away peacefully on June 9, 2023, at his home. His age was 99 years, four months and three days.
Daryl was born of Midwestern farm stock on February 3, 1924, in
Britt, Iowa, to Emmanuel and Bessie (Matson) Olsen. He served his country in the U. S. Navy during World War II in Guam. After the war he returned to Iowa and established himself as a dairy farmer and then a pig farmer. On March 28, 1948, he took as his bride Betty Orcutt of
Mason City, Iowa. After becoming parents to two sons, Daryl and Betty moved to Texas in 1954 to explore new job opportunities and take advantage of the warmer weather. The couple settled in Houston and welcomed a daughter into the family two years later.
After steering all three of their children through high school, Daryl and Betty moved to
Alvin, Texas. In February of 1982, they made their final move, to a shady plot shrouded by pecan trees in Clyde. There, they became members of the Clyde Methodist Church and gracious hosts to many family members and friends who came to call. Even after Betty Olsen passed away in 2009, Daryl remained active, healthy and happy well into his final year.
He was a loving and devoted father to his children and the many grands that followed.
Daryl was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, and his two sons, Kenneth Lee Olsen and Meredith Ray Olsen.
He is survived by his daughter, Denise Reeder and husband David of Hawley, Texas; grandchildren, Chris Olsen and wife Lorena of Dawson, Texas; Jennifer Radke and husband Barnabas of
Wichita Falls, Texas; Shawn Akens and wife Stephanie of
Borger, Texas; Lindsay Gowin and husband Chad of
Elko, Nevada; Brian Olsen and wife Amanda of
Bluffdale, Utah; and Stacey Deboer and husband Joe of
Elko, Nevada; great grandchildren, Jolie and Jax Olsen, Stormy Mion, Shaylee Espino, Aubrie Hatfield, Leah and Drake Akens, Annaleisia, Damion, and Kalman Anthony, Ryker and Lydia Olsen, Aidyn and Triston Deboer, and Lexi and Dominick Gowen; great-great grandchildren, Ryan, Cipher and Rogue Espino; daughter-in-law, Mary Olsen of
Elko, Nevada, and several members of the Carter family, descendants of Betty Olsen's sister Ila, who found sustenance in the generosity of their second parents, Daryl and Betty.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations in Daryl's memory to any veteran's organization or the charity of your choice.
A memorial service is pending.
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