James Edward Olson

Jim Olson, 68, of Kelley passed away peacefully February 20th. He was born October 23, 1957 to Grant and Helen Olson, who proceeded him in death. He is survived by his brothers David (Renee) of Laurens and Mark of Ames.

An informal celebration of life will be held Saturday, March 7th at Bethany Lutheran Church in Kelley from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.. Excellent kringla will be served in honor of Jim's Norwegian heritage.

It was not the medical diagnosis Jim wanted to hear. Thinking about heaven brought him comfort. Jesus is talking to his disciples in John 14:1-3;

"Do not let your heart be troubled. Believe in God, believe in Me. In my Father's house are many dwelling places. If it were not so , I would have told you for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there may you be also."

Thanks so much for the visits and prayers during Jim's last two months. Those were very meaningful to him.

Listening in on the conversations, Jim's acts of kindness were frequently brought up. One visitor has a love for hiking as an adult because Jim took him hiking as a young boy. Another recalled the simple act of showing her around the farm as a young girl. Not headline acts of kindness but significant memories for those two many years later.

Jim reflected on his life with thankfulness. He enjoyed growing up on the family farm near Kelley. Wednesday night was for Mom's hot fudge sundaes. Henry's Hamburgers in Ames was a family treat. Five hamburgers and a half pound of French fries cost $1.20 in the 1960's. Why did hotdogs taste better at major league baseball games?

Dad hit fly balls and grounders to us on Sundays to improve our baseball skills. That practice paid off as Jim was the shortstop for Ballard when they played in the state baseball tournament in 1975.

He was thankful for good friends throughout his life. There were many basketball games played in Olson Auditorium, our modest size basketball court in the barn. It was best not to take a fade away jump shot at 17 feet away from the basket. You may fall off the haymow.

He enjoyed talking for long hours with his friends, often accompanied by a good pizza. He was a proud member of the Brother of the Bibs. The last five days of his life were at Bethany Life and he even thanked a nurse for the comfortable recliner in his room.

Jim loved to hike, especially in the Des Moines River valley area. There were certain scenic spots along the river he called his "great views." He visited those great views frequently.

Will Jim find great views in heaven? Probably too many to count.

Thanks to the Mary Greeley hospice staff and Bethany Life staff for their kindness and compassion and keeping Jim comfortable his last days.