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Robert 'Oly' Olson
[January
09, 2013]
BROADWELL -- Robert F. "Oly" Olson, 82,
died Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013, at approximately 4:40 a.m. at St.
Joseph's Home in Springfield.
(Below is a copy of
the obituary from the funeral home.)
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Broadwell – Robert F. "Oly" Olson, 82, passed away
at approximately 4:40 AM on Wednesday, January 9,
2013 at St. Joseph's Home, Springfield Illinois.
Bob was born on June 8, 1930 in Lincoln, Illinois,
to Alfred and Mildred (Amberg) Olson. Surviving is
one sister, Mary Ann (Verne) Garrison of St. Louis,
Missouri, and one brother, David (Lois) Olson of
Elkhart, Illinois.
Raised in Broadwell, Bob attended Elkhart Community
High School. A veteran of the Korean War, Bob served
in the Army Corp of Engineers from 1951 to 1953. He
obtained his basic training at Ft. Riley, Kansas and
was stationed in Alaska.
Upon Bob's return from the Army, he worked as a
carpenter, as well as operated a service station in
Elkhart, Illinois. Bob attended the University of
Illinois through his junior year. After his years at
the U of I, Bob managed an office for the USDA in
Belleville, Illinois. In 1960, an opportunity to
return to farming in Logan County (Broadwell,
Illinois) presented itself, and Bob began his career
in “the best job” he could ever want. Bob
established a Farm Management Service and managed
farms for absentee landowners. In addition to
farming and farm management, Bob was one of the
founders of the Elkhart Community Bank. He served on
the Board of Directors for the Elkhart and Illini
Banks.
In 1986, Bob was appointed to fill a vacancy as
Representative in the Illinois General Assembly.
Following his appointment he served in the General
Assembly for nine years. Bob's territory consisted
of all of Logan, Dewitt, Menard and Mason Counties,
and portions of Sangamon, Tazewell, Piatt and McLean
counties. Bob did not consider himself a politician,
but a friend doing a job for his constituents. Bob
retired from the General Assembly in 1994.
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Bob married Norma (Shorty) Jean Van Fossen on December 12,
1957. She survives. Together, they have five children Robert
(Dee) Olson of Springfield, Illinois, Nancy (Kevin)
Courtwright of Broadwell, Illinois, Susan (Bryan) Johnston
of Mahomet, Illinois, James (Ann) Olson of Broadwell,
Illinois, and Sandra Tiffany of Lincoln, Illinois. They have
twelve grandchildren: Madeline Olson, Kasey and Kylie
(Fricke) Courtwright, Jason and Leslie (Pfeifer) Johnston,
Abby, Jake and Betsy Olson, and Elaine, Sam, Will and
Adrienne Tiffany, and three great grandchildren: Lexi
Chambers, Kallie Courtwright, and Nolan Pfeifer. Bob's
greatest treasures were his wife Shorty, and his children,
grandchildren, and great grandchildren. In 1985, Bob and his
siblings established a three-day family reunion each Labor
Day weekend which continues today with over 70 family
members in attendance.
Bob loved his homestead in Broadwell; considering it
to be better than any other location to live. Bob
was an avid gardener of native Illinois prairie
plants. He enjoyed reading about history and loved
to travel the United States. Bob was an avid
collector of antiques.
Bob was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church,
Elkhart Legion Post 616, Lincoln Elks 914 and the 40
& 8 Club.
Services for Bob will be at 1:30 P.M. on Saturday,
January 12, 2013 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in
Lincoln Illinois, with Rev. Thomas R. Kamprath
conducting services. A visitation will be held from
4-7 P.M. Friday, January 11, at Fricke Calvert
Schrader Funeral Home in Lincoln. A burial will
follow the church service at Elkhart Cemetery in
Elkhart with military rites accorded by the Elkhart
Legion Post #616. Memorials may be made to Immanuel
Lutheran Church in Lincoln or St. Joseph's Home in
Springfield.
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