In Memory of Irene E Olson

Irene E. Olson, age 94, of Odebolt, Iowa, passed away on Friday, February 7, 2014 at the Odebolt Nursing & Rehab Center of Odebolt, Iowa.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 11, 2014, at the United Methodist Church of Odebolt, Iowa. Committal Services will follow at the Odebolt Cemetery, of Odebolt, Iowa. The Reverend Ken Miller will officiate. Visitation will be held 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 10, 2014 at the Christensen – Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa. The Christensen ~ Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com

Irene Emma Olson was born on the family farm near Boyer, Iowa on December 9, 1919, one of three children born to Paul and Esther (Frey) Anderson.

She attended country school at Stockholm #10 in Boyer and graduated from Odebolt High School in 1937.  After graduation Irene started teaching at Stockholm Township Schools.

Irene married her longtime friend, Lake Olson on January 17, 1942 in Omaha, Nebraska. The couple initially made their home in Chicago area, while Lake worked for the Inland Steel Company, on the ships on the Great Lakes. The couple decided to move back to the family farm North of Boyer, Iowa in 1945.

The couple were blessed with two daughters Linda, and Betty. While living on the family farm, Irene took on the responsibility of caring for her mother until her death in 1949. She then helped her father during his illness. She worked side by side with her husband on the farm until the couple retired in 1985. After retiring the couple built a home and moved to Odebolt, Iowa.

Irene and Lake celebrated their 70^th wedding anniversary on January 17, 2012, Lake passed away in April of that year.

Irene was a long time faithful member of the Odebolt Methodist Church, and belonged to Rachel Circle. She also volunteered her time as a Sunday school teacher.

She was a member of the Boyer Ladies Aid and on the Odebolt Nursing Home Auxiliary.

Irene enjoyed crocheting afghan’s, doilies, cooking, baking and spending time with her family.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Betty (James) Sullivan of Fort Dodge, Iowa; son-in-law, Charles D. Swanson of Boxholm, Iowa; grandchildren, Erik (Tara) Swanson of Omaha, Nebraska; Paul (Emily) Swanson of Godfrey, Illinois; Kellie (Ben) Carstens of Waukee, Iowa; Daniel Sullivan of Fort Dodge, Iowa; four great-grandchildren, Aaron, Presley, Chandler, and Luke Swanson; sister-in-law, Loretta Anderson; brother-in-law, Ray Olson; and many nieces and nephews.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Esther Anderson; husband, Lake Olson; daughter, Linda Swanson; brother, Roscoe Anderson; and sister, Elsa Diersen.