Clifford Maurice Olson, the son of Henry C. and Clara (Sheppard) Olson, was born January 6, 1921 in Elgin, Iowa. He attended rural school in the Postville, Iowa area and graduated from Postville High School in 1938. Clifford was in the U.S. Army during World War II, serving in the Philippines and on Okinawa. Clifford was united in marriage with Anna Mae Ruroden on June 14, 1944 in West Union, Iowa. To this union two sons were born. Anna Mae preceded him in death on August 15, 1976. Clifford was then united in marriage with Lois Swalley on August 27, 1983. She preceded him in death on August 15, 2004. Clifford farmed east of Fayette, Iowa from 1953 until his retirement in 1995.
Clifford’s death occurred Monday, August 16, 2010 at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House in Hiawatha, Iowa, after a lengthy battle with leukemia. He was eighty-nine years old. Clifford was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Fayette and had been active in the church as an elder. He was also a member of the Fayette American Legion Post #339. He enjoyed playing cards, reading, fishing, and squirrel and mushroom hunting.
Clifford is survived by two sons, Layton (Lynda) Olson of Coralville, Iowa; and Gary (Doris) Olson of Hiawatha, Iowa; eight grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and two sisters, Ruth Williams of El Cajon, California; and Delores Ross of San Diego, California.
Clifford was preceded in death by his wives, Anna Mae and Lois; his parents; and one brother, Allan Olson, who was killed in action in Korea.
Funeral Services for Clifford will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, August 18, 2010, at Grace Lutheran Church of Fayette. Rev. Keith Brustuen will be the officiant. Friends may call from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Fayette and for one hour before services at Grace Lutheran Church in Fayette, on Wednesday. Burial will be at Grandview Cemetery, Fayette. Military Rites will be held by the Fayette American Legion Post #339.
