Casim Olwan

CASIM OLWAN

Cedar Rapids

Casim E. Olwan, 91, of Cedar Rapids, passed Sunday, March 20, 2016, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha following a short illness. Brosh Chapel is serving the family.

He was born Sept. 28, 1924, in Ashland, Ky., the son of the late Hajj Ollie and Esta Olwan. Following his 1942 Ashland High School graduation, he served in World War II with Patton's Third Army. Returning from the service, he graduated from Centre College, Danville, Ky., where he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity.

A six-year journalism career with two newspapers in southern Ohio preceded 25 years in the restaurant/bar business in Toledo, Ohio. Humorously, he often referred to his departure from journalism and becoming a restaurateur as "a need to eat."

Before total retirement he provided 12 years of courier service to Iowa Realty.

Surviving include his wife, Fatima; his daughters, Dr. Dena Olwan (Dr. James Snowden) of Sioux City and Danya Karram (Dr. Michael) of Cincinnati, Ohio; his son, Damon Olwan of Sioux Falls, S.D.; grand-children, Alexandra and Adam Karram; stepchildren, Jeff (Julie) Barnes and Julie (Reese) Lambert; and stepgrandchildren,

Jessica Stiers, Chelsea and Spencer Barnes and Hunter, Hudson and Hagan Lambert.

He had three great passions: pride in his American/Arab heritage, par excellence Kentucky basketball and "What If? Holy Cow Cubbies."

Private services took place at Muslim National Cemetery in Cedar Rapids.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Islamic Center of Cedar Rapids or the charity of choice.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.broshchapel.com.