LeRoy Arthur Olsen

DUDLEY, KRESS, OLSEN, SELLS, WESTER, WORDEHOFF

Posted By: Cindy (email)
Date: 3/22/2017 at 14:14:24

LeRoy Arthur Olsen, 69, of Quasqueton, Iowa died Friday evening, March 17, 2017 at the Regional Medical Center in Manchester, Iowa.

LeRoy was born on September 3, 1947 in Independence, Iowa the son of Mahlon L. and Callie G. (Dudley) Olsen. He attended the Quasqueton Consolidated Schools, and graduated from the East Buchanan High School with the class of 1966. He enlisted in the US Air Force in 1966. While in the service he attended Photo Ops School in Orlando, FL, and then transferred to Port Hueneme to train in heavy equipment operations with the Seabees. His enlistment took him to California, Korea, Thailand, Japan, and North Dakota, prior to his discharge in 1974. On April 13, 1968, he was married to his high school sweetheart, Kathleen Ann Wester in the Union Church, Quasqueton, Iowa.

He was employed with the Buchanan County Secondary Road Department from 1975 till his retirement in 2010, with thirty-five years of employment as a back-hoe operator and snow removal.

LeRoy was a member of the Cedar Rock American Legion Post #2440 and the Bechter-Boies VFW Post #30, holding many offices in both organizations, including Post Commander and Chaplain. His civic duties include being elected to the Quasqueton City Council and Mayor of Quasqueton. He is a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and was also a member of the church choir.

He enjoyed working with the Boy Scouts of America, serving as Cub Master, Webelo’s leader, and a Scout Master for approximately seventeen years. During this time, he was privileged to see seven of his scouts attained rank of Eagle Scout. LeRoy led the troops on High Adventure Trips to the Boundary Water Canoe Area, Ely, MN.

He enjoyed taking long drives, trout fishing, woodworking, watching old movies especially John Wayne movies. Kasi Chapman has been LeRoy’s care giver for past 4 years and has assisted LeRoy in continuing many of the activities that he enjoyed.

LeRoy is survived by his wife of 48 years, Kathy, two children: Melissa (Larry) Kress, Quasqueton, IA, and David (Jennifer) Olsen, Marion, IA. Two grandchildren: Hannah Kress and Ean Kress both of Quasqueton, IA; and two sisters: Shelia Sells, Quasqueton, IA and Sheryl (Norman) Wordehoff, Rowley, IA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers: Robert and Cecil Olsen.

Memorial services will be held at 10 AM Saturday, March 25, 2017 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Independence, IA with Rev. Greg DeBoer officiating. Inurnment will be in the Quasqueton Cemetery, Quasqueton, IA. Friends may call from 9 AM till services at the church. The Reiff Funeral Home & Crematory, Independence, IA is assisting the family with arrangements.

LeRoy was a kind, hardworking man dedicated to his community, county and country. Prior to his illness, he enjoyed traveling with his wife, Kathy, and showing Yorkshire Terriers at the many shows throughout the Midwest. He is sadly missed by his family but through Jesus Christ he will no longer have to endure the daily pain and suffering that plagued him.