Frederick Lenus Olson

Frederick Lenus Olson, known affectionately as Fred, passed peacefully at his home with his wife and daughter by his side on Monday, February 19, 2024. Fred was a man of diverse talents and passions who left a lasting impact on all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He was born on January 20, 1947, in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, to Herschel Sr. and Katherine Olson. Fred was a gentle peacemaker at heart. Throughout his life, he displayed a remarkable work ethic and unwavering dedication to his pursuits.

Fred's professional journey was a testament to his determination and ambition. Starting as a company mail carrier at UNIVAC in his early years, he eventually rose to become a skilled software engineer. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to explore various fields including software development, automotive diagnostic and repair, sales and installation of automotive electronics, and sign-making and installation. In his later years, he found joy in his work at Enterprise Rent-A-Car at the Des Moines International Airport.

Beyond his career successes, Fred was known for his love of simple pleasures such as cigars and strong coffee. He had a dry sense of humor that will be missed by many. Fred cherished moments spent with friends and family for porch chats. He loved animals, his favorites being cats, dogs and monkeys. He also had a passion for performance sports cars and was very proud of his 2017 Mustang GT. A talented musician, Fred was a professional drummer and enjoyed playing guitar as a hobby.  Earlier in life, he was an avid bowler with exceptional skill on the lanes.

An intellectual at heart, Fred had a passion for reading and expanding his vocabulary, always eager to share a "word of the day" with those around him. His diverse taste in music ranged from 50's and 60's rock to country classics, and easy listening by artists like Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Ray Charles. He admired Carrie Underwood and took pleasure in watching NASCAR and Indy Racing, particularly rooting for Tony Stewart and Danica Patrick.

Fred's proudest accomplishment was undoubtedly his marriage to Doris Jean Barnes on January 4, 1982, in Taos, New Mexico along with the birth of his daughter in 1984 and his son in 1985 in Palm Desert, California. Together, they built a life filled with love and shared experiences. Fred leaves behind a legacy cherished by many. In addition to Doris Jean Olson of West Des Moines; he is survived by his daughter Natalie (Evgeny) Beletskiy of Sacramento, CA; daughter-in-law Heather Olson of St. Paul, MN; step-son Christopher (Rhonda) Kindem of Apple Valley, MN; step-daughter Shelly (Matt) Kindem-Nelson of Cottage Grove, MN; brother James Olson of Osceola, WI; grandchildren Vera Beletskiy, Palmer Olson, Jada and Mackenzie Kindem; Matthew (Jessica) Kindem; Tyler and Lauren Nelson; along with numerous cousins.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents Herschel Sr. and Katherine (Andersen) Olson, son Garrett Olson and siblings Sandra Cobb, Karen Jensen and Herschel Olson Jr.

A celebration of life memorial gathering will be held Saturday, February 24, 2024 from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. at Ernst Funeral Home, 80 NE Dartmoor Drive.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Fred's memory to an animal rescue of your choice.  The Animal Rescue League of Iowa was Fred's favorite rescue in the area.