Olson, Curtis E.

Curtis E. Olson, 85, of Manchester, passed away and went to be with His Lord on Oct. 13, 2011. Family will receive visitors from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, at Delhi United Methodist Church in Delhi. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the church, with visitation one hour before the service. No interment will be held at this time.

Curtis Evelyn Olson was born May 18, 1926, at home in Lansing, Iowa, the son of Evelyn B. and Hulda B. (Kierstein) Olson. Curtis graduated from Lansing High School in 1944. He left for the United States Army Air Force the day after graduation. He served in the European Theater in Germany as a plane captain. He was honorably discharged in 1946 with the rank of sergeant.

In 1948, he married Shirley Baumbach. Three children were born to this union: Ronald Curtis, Dennis Lee and Debra Jean. They later divorced.

In 1973, he was united in marriage to Linda R. (Mickens) Biswell. Their family included Christine Myree, Cecilia Jean, Cecil Eugene, Norman John and Evan Warren.

Throughout his life he enjoyed a variety of occupations, including electronic technical work, owning and operating a service station and restaurants, managing mobile home parks and senior apartments, maintenance for apartment complexes, and traveling for pharmaceutical companies.

Curt served his community and the Lord throughout the years in several capacities: scout leader, Sunday school teacher, Gideons International, Quad Cities Walk to Emmaus Community, church youth bus driver, church trustee, and a faithful member of his church family.

He enjoyed many interests and hobbies: bowling, hunting, fishing, cars, woodworking, Bible studies, and sharing his interests with his children and grandchildren.

Curt greeted everyone he met with respect, acceptance, and compassion. He was a humble man, but took great pride in his family, his work, and his country. He has given his family a legacy of creativeness, intelligence, humor, perseverance, service, and most of all, love.

He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Curt is survived by his wife, Linda; his children, Ronald (Pam) Olson of Manchester, Dennis Olson of Cedar Rapids, Debra (Paul) Lossen of Andover, K.S., Christine (Steve) Saxton of Dillon, Mont., Cecilia Lahr and Cecil (Charity Jones) Olson of Hopkinton, John (Loretta) Olson of Yuma, Ariz., and Evan (Sarah) Olson of Waverly; 28 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers, Jim (Aggie) Olson and Rodney (Kay) Olson of Lansing; his sisters, Anita (Burnell) Sorum and Judy (Robert) Iseli of Waukon, and many nieces and nephews.

Curt was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, George; and his sister, Joyce.

All arrangements are being made through Delhi United Methodist Church.

Published Oct. 16, 2011, in The Gazette