Frederick "Fred" Olsen
February 14, 1939 — December 26, 2018
Frederick Edward Olsen, son of Stellan and Iva (Bird) Olsen, was born in Harlan, Iowa on February 14, 1939. He attended Harlan Community Schools and graduated in 1957.
After graduation for high school, Fred enlisted in the United States Air Force and served his country for 4 ½ years. He was honorably discharged and returned to Harlan and trained to be an auto mechanic. He worked 42 years for Pauley Ford, Roecker Ford, and Keast Ford before retiring. He spent the next three years enjoying time with his wife and working on various projects with his sons. He decided to return to work at Variety Distributors, where he worked until he retired for a second time in 2018.
Fred and Linda met in 1964 and were married 2 years later on August 20, 1966 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan. This union lasted 52 years until Fred’s death. He and Linda are the parents of 2 sons, Chad (Brenda) Olsen of Guthrie Center, Iowa and Jeremy (Jeanna) Olsen of Omaha, Nebraska and are grandparents of Erik and Ethan Olsen.
Fred was involved in the Boy Scouts and was a Boy Scout leader for many years. The family enjoyed camping together when their sons were in school. After they sold the camper, they enjoyed renting cabins with relatives and friends at various state parks.
Fred was an avid reader of westerns, and always had a book mark in Louis Lamour or some other “old west” novel.
Fred was especially proud of his family. He was a loving and caring husband, father and grandfather. He never met a “stranger” and was always friendly and could visit with anyone.
Fred died peacefully at his home with his wife Linda at his side on December 26, 2018. In addition to his wife and sons, daughters-in-law and grandsons, he is survived by many relatives and friends.
After graduation for high school, Fred enlisted in the United States Air Force and served his country for 4 ½ years. He was honorably discharged and returned to Harlan and trained to be an auto mechanic. He worked 42 years for Pauley Ford, Roecker Ford, and Keast Ford before retiring. He spent the next three years enjoying time with his wife and working on various projects with his sons. He decided to return to work at Variety Distributors, where he worked until he retired for a second time in 2018.
Fred and Linda met in 1964 and were married 2 years later on August 20, 1966 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan. This union lasted 52 years until Fred’s death. He and Linda are the parents of 2 sons, Chad (Brenda) Olsen of Guthrie Center, Iowa and Jeremy (Jeanna) Olsen of Omaha, Nebraska and are grandparents of Erik and Ethan Olsen.
Fred was involved in the Boy Scouts and was a Boy Scout leader for many years. The family enjoyed camping together when their sons were in school. After they sold the camper, they enjoyed renting cabins with relatives and friends at various state parks.
Fred was an avid reader of westerns, and always had a book mark in Louis Lamour or some other “old west” novel.
Fred was especially proud of his family. He was a loving and caring husband, father and grandfather. He never met a “stranger” and was always friendly and could visit with anyone.
Fred died peacefully at his home with his wife Linda at his side on December 26, 2018. In addition to his wife and sons, daughters-in-law and grandsons, he is survived by many relatives and friends.
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