Robert Edwin Olson
Born: April 21st, 1921
Died: August 10th, 2010
Obituary
Robert E. Olson, 89, of Burlington, died at 8:55 p.m. Tuesday, August 10, 2010, at Bickford Cottage in Burlington. Born April 21, 1921, in Odebolt, he was the son of Emil and Emily Moline Olson. On December 9, 1944, he married Beverly Goodell in Burlington. Mr. Olson worked in education for 36 years beginning in Huron, and spent the majority of his career at Oak Street Junior High in Burlington teaching industrial arts, retiring in 1984. He graduated from University of Northern Iowa, and earned a master's of science degree at Bradley University. He attended Officer Candidate School in Fort Benning, GA, and served in the Army infantry in the European Theater during World War II, achieving the rank of Captain and receiving the Purple Heart. He was a member of Christ Episcopal Church. Survivors include two sons, John Olson of Wichita, Kan., and James Olson of Verona, Wis.; one daughter, Patricia Miller of Topeka, Kan.; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; four sisters; and a special friend. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at Prugh's Chapel in Burlington. The funeral for Mr. Olson will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Christ Episcopal Church in Burlington, with the Revs. John Horn and George Rogerson officiating. Private burial with military rites will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery in Burlington. A memorial has been established for Hope Haven Area Development Center.