Harry Edwin Olsen

Harry Edwin Olsen was born on June 1, 1948 in Council Bluffs, Iowa to Erik Andrew and Muriel Frances (Christensen) Olsen. Harry grew up on a farm east of Avoca, Iowa and was the youngest of four children. He attended AvoHa Community School, graduating with the Class of 1966. Harry played the position of end on the football team all four years of high school and was always proud to have been a contributing player claiming the S.W. Iowa Conference title his senior year.

After high school, Harry attended Midland College for one year, then graduated from Dana College, Blair, Nebraska in 1971 with a degree in Business Administration. Prior to college graduation, he married his high school sweetheart, Kay Rock on Jan. 3, 1970 in Avoca, Iowa. Harry and Kay lived in the married student units on campus at Dana College, where they graduated together in 1971.

Harry and Kay moved to Glenwood, Iowa in 1976 and have lived there for the past 40 years. They would have celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary in two months from the date of Harry’s passing. Their oldest son, Jeffrey was born in 1976 and their second son, Jeremy was born in 1979.

Harry worked his entire career in retail and commercial tire sales. Harry was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather. He was a fun- loving character who liked to play pranks on his friends and family, who eventually always got even.

After retirement, Harry enjoyed helping on the Lincoln Farms, doing whatever was needed. He had a love for farming, starting way back when he grew up on the farm. He told of his Dad putting wooden blocks on the old tractor pedals so that Harry’s short legs would reach and he could help in the field. Farm animals weren’t his favorite, as he always expressed his dislike for their milk cows.

Harry was a 40 year member of the Glenwood Lions Club and was actively involved in all of their projects.

Throughout his life, Harry was an avid fisherman and hunter, which he shared with his two sons and four grandsons. He was a proud grandfather of five and tried to attend their activities as often as possible.

After Harry built his shed behind their house on Harold’s Drive, Kay usually knew where to find him. He enjoyed many hours out there with friends, neighbors and family. If the flag was out on the shed, people knew he wanted company to stop by.

This past summer Harry and Kay purchased a new travel trailer and started camping again. It had been a fun family activity when their boys were small and they soon discovered it was also a lot of fun for two retired folks. While sitting outside by the campfire one evening, Harry remarked, “This feels like a dream. I can’t believe we are able to do this and that we both enjoy it so much!”

Harry entered into rest on Friday, November 11, 2016 from injuries sustained in a farming accident. He was preceded in death by his parents, Erik and Muriel Olsen and his sister, Arlene. Survivors include his wife, Kay (Rock) Olsen of Glenwood, Iowa; sons, Jeffrey and wife Kourtney Greenfield of Omaha, Nebraska; Jeremy and wife Sandra Olsen of Minot AFB, North Dakota; grandchildren, Bailey Keller, Luke Olsen, Jack Olsen, Alex Olsen and Ben Olsen; sister, Helene (Dick) Peterson of Peoria, Illinois; brother, Larry (Sally) Olsen of Treynor, Iowa; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Marcia and Darrell Jacobsen of Hancock, Iowa; several nieces, nephews, extended relatives and many friends.

Graveside Service will be held at 3:00 p.m. in the Graceland Cemetery in Avoca, IA.

Memorials may be made to Glenwood Trinity Lutheran Church or the Glenwood Public Library.

Visitation:Tuesday, November 15, 2016
6:00 PM
212 S. Locust St.
Glenwood, IA51534

Service:Wednesday, November 16, 2016
11:00 AM
512 2nd Street
Glenwood, IA51534