The journey of life for Roger Gene Olson began on August 19, 1939, in Manly, Iowa. Roger was the youngest of four children born to Clarence George and Alice Marie (Grefe) Olson.
He attended Township Central Heights for his elementary schooling and graduated from Mason City High School in Mason City, Iowa. Wrestling was a big part of Roger's high school experience. He was a State Wrestling Champion in his weight division in 1957.
Being a caddy at the golf course in Mason City was a favorite past time during his youth. He played golf for the high school golf team for three years and he dreamed about being a professional golfer someday. Roger attended Mason City Junior College for one year and then the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska for one year. While at the University of Nebraska Roger took an Assistant Manager Program through the Bishop’s Buffet restaurant chain. This program enabled him to have a summer job and ultimately proved to him that he would like this kind of work. The program required him to learn all the positions in the food service business.
During high school Roger had met Shirley Kaye Shipman. Roger and Shirley began to date while he was working at Bishop's in downtown Des Moines, Iowa and on May 5, 1962 they were united in marriage.
In June of that year Roger was drafted into the military service. Roger was stationed at Ft. Hood, Texas when their first daughter, Lori Lynn, was born. Roger was stationed in Germany for a period of time and in June of 1964 was discharged from the military.
He returned to Bishop's in Des Moines and was later transferred to a Bishop's in Lincoln, Nebraska as the manager. While living there their second daughter, Stephanie Kristin, was born in 1966. The family next moved back to Des Moines for about three years, this time working at a Bishop’s on Fleur Drive. A highlight of this experience was the privilege he had of serving Arnold Palmer. Roger and Shirley then took a short detour back to Mason City where they explored the idea of owning their own restaurant, soon to realize this was not right for them and moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and eventually Chicago, Illinois area exploring this same venture.
The journey next brought Roger to interview in Pella, Iowa. The historic Strawtown Inn and Restaurant was looking for a manager. Roger managed this thriving business until October 1, 1991. During this experience he had the privilege of meeting dignitaries and serving many other notable people.
In 1991, the greens and fairways were calling to Roger and he decided to take the position as manager of the Pella Golf and Country Club. Roger enjoyed working for Bishop’s, Strawtown and the Golf & Country Club, but his overall favorite experience was with Strawtown Inn.
Roger and Shirley enjoyed vacationing. Their favorite vacations were to Hawaii, cruises and PARTIES.
On October 2, 2009, his journey on earth was completed and a new and better journey began when he passed away at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House having just celebrated his 70th birthday.
Memories will live forever in the minds and hearts of his two daughters and their husbands and five grandchildren. They and their families are: Lori and Dr. Russell Bandstra and their three children: Stephen Andrew, Elizabeth Laine and Christopher Evan Bandstra, 1721 West 4th. Street in Pella; Stephanie and Michael De Jong and their two sons: Nicholas Michael and Matthew Joel De Jong, 312 Central Drive in Pella. Roger leaves his brother, Richard Olson and his wife, Delores, his sister-in-law, LaVonne (Clarence) Olson; his mother-in-law, Gladys A. (Johnson) Shipman, a brother-in-law, Scott Shipman and his fiance, Tracy Boehmer all of Mason City, Iowa; along with two sisters-in-law: Jeanie (Vance) Shipman of Tampa, Florida and Toni (Vance Shipman) Levering of Minneapolis, Minnesota; many nieces and nephews; and a host of many friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley, on February 5, 2008; his parents, Clarence and Alice Olson; his father-in-law, Carroll E. Shipman; his brother, Clarence J. Olson; his sister, Alice Ann and her husband, Harold Ditch; and a brother-in-law, Vance Shipman.
He attended Township Central Heights for his elementary schooling and graduated from Mason City High School in Mason City, Iowa. Wrestling was a big part of Roger's high school experience. He was a State Wrestling Champion in his weight division in 1957.
Being a caddy at the golf course in Mason City was a favorite past time during his youth. He played golf for the high school golf team for three years and he dreamed about being a professional golfer someday. Roger attended Mason City Junior College for one year and then the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska for one year. While at the University of Nebraska Roger took an Assistant Manager Program through the Bishop’s Buffet restaurant chain. This program enabled him to have a summer job and ultimately proved to him that he would like this kind of work. The program required him to learn all the positions in the food service business.
During high school Roger had met Shirley Kaye Shipman. Roger and Shirley began to date while he was working at Bishop's in downtown Des Moines, Iowa and on May 5, 1962 they were united in marriage.
In June of that year Roger was drafted into the military service. Roger was stationed at Ft. Hood, Texas when their first daughter, Lori Lynn, was born. Roger was stationed in Germany for a period of time and in June of 1964 was discharged from the military.
He returned to Bishop's in Des Moines and was later transferred to a Bishop's in Lincoln, Nebraska as the manager. While living there their second daughter, Stephanie Kristin, was born in 1966. The family next moved back to Des Moines for about three years, this time working at a Bishop’s on Fleur Drive. A highlight of this experience was the privilege he had of serving Arnold Palmer. Roger and Shirley then took a short detour back to Mason City where they explored the idea of owning their own restaurant, soon to realize this was not right for them and moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and eventually Chicago, Illinois area exploring this same venture.
The journey next brought Roger to interview in Pella, Iowa. The historic Strawtown Inn and Restaurant was looking for a manager. Roger managed this thriving business until October 1, 1991. During this experience he had the privilege of meeting dignitaries and serving many other notable people.
In 1991, the greens and fairways were calling to Roger and he decided to take the position as manager of the Pella Golf and Country Club. Roger enjoyed working for Bishop’s, Strawtown and the Golf & Country Club, but his overall favorite experience was with Strawtown Inn.
Roger and Shirley enjoyed vacationing. Their favorite vacations were to Hawaii, cruises and PARTIES.
On October 2, 2009, his journey on earth was completed and a new and better journey began when he passed away at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House having just celebrated his 70th birthday.
Memories will live forever in the minds and hearts of his two daughters and their husbands and five grandchildren. They and their families are: Lori and Dr. Russell Bandstra and their three children: Stephen Andrew, Elizabeth Laine and Christopher Evan Bandstra, 1721 West 4th. Street in Pella; Stephanie and Michael De Jong and their two sons: Nicholas Michael and Matthew Joel De Jong, 312 Central Drive in Pella. Roger leaves his brother, Richard Olson and his wife, Delores, his sister-in-law, LaVonne (Clarence) Olson; his mother-in-law, Gladys A. (Johnson) Shipman, a brother-in-law, Scott Shipman and his fiance, Tracy Boehmer all of Mason City, Iowa; along with two sisters-in-law: Jeanie (Vance) Shipman of Tampa, Florida and Toni (Vance Shipman) Levering of Minneapolis, Minnesota; many nieces and nephews; and a host of many friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley, on February 5, 2008; his parents, Clarence and Alice Olson; his father-in-law, Carroll E. Shipman; his brother, Clarence J. Olson; his sister, Alice Ann and her husband, Harold Ditch; and a brother-in-law, Vance Shipman.
The journey of life for Roger Gene Olson began on August 19, 1939, in Manly, Iowa. Roger was the youngest of four children born to Clarence George and Alice Marie (Grefe) Olson.
He attended Township Central Heights for his elementary schooling and graduated from Mason City High School in Mason City, Iowa. Wrestling was a big part of Roger's high school experience. He was a State Wrestling Champion in his weight division in 1957.
Being a caddy at the golf course in Mason City was a favorite past time during his youth. He played golf for the high school golf team for three years and he dreamed about being a professional golfer someday. Roger attended Mason City Junior College for one year and then the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska for one year. While at the University of Nebraska Roger took an Assistant Manager Program through the Bishop’s Buffet restaurant chain. This program enabled him to have a summer job and ultimately proved to him that he would like this kind of work. The program required him to learn all the positions in the food service business.
During high school Roger had met Shirley Kaye Shipman. Roger and Shirley began to date while he was working at Bishop's in downtown Des Moines, Iowa and on May 5, 1962 they were united in marriage.
In June of that year Roger was drafted into the military service. Roger was stationed at Ft. Hood, Texas when their first daughter, Lori Lynn, was born. Roger was stationed in Germany for a period of time and in June of 1964 was discharged from the military.
He returned to Bishop's in Des Moines and was later transferred to a Bishop's in Lincoln, Nebraska as the manager. While living there their second daughter, Stephanie Kristin, was born in 1966. The family next moved back to Des Moines for about three years, this time working at a Bishop’s on Fleur Drive. A highlight of this experience was the privilege he had of serving Arnold Palmer. Roger and Shirley then took a short detour back to Mason City where they explored the idea of owning their own restaurant, soon to realize this was not right for them and moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and eventually Chicago, Illinois area exploring this same venture.
The journey next brought Roger to interview in Pella, Iowa. The historic Strawtown Inn and Restaurant was looking for a manager. Roger managed this thriving business until October 1, 1991. During this experience he had the privilege of meeting dignitaries and serving many other notable people.
In 1991, the greens and fairways were calling to Roger and he decided to take the position as manager of the Pella Golf and Country Club. Roger enjoyed working for Bishop’s, Strawtown and the Golf & Country Club, but his overall favorite experience was with Strawtown Inn.
Roger and Shirley enjoyed vacationing. Their favorite vacations were to Hawaii, cruises and PARTIES.
On October 2, 2009, his journey on earth was completed and a new and better journey began when he passed away at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House having just celebrated his 70th birthday.
Memories will live forever in the minds and hearts of his two daughters and their husbands and five grandchildren. They and their families are: Lori and Dr. Russell Bandstra and their three children: Stephen Andrew, Elizabeth Laine and Christopher Evan Bandstra, 1721 West 4th. Street in Pella; Stephanie and Michael De Jong and their two sons: Nicholas Michael and Matthew Joel De Jong, 312 Central Drive in Pella. Roger leaves his brother, Richard Olson and his wife, Delores, his sister-in-law, LaVonne (Clarence) Olson; his mother-in-law, Gladys A. (Johnson) Shipman, a brother-in-law, Scott Shipman and his fiance, Tracy Boehmer all of Mason City, Iowa; along with two sisters-in-law: Jeanie (Vance) Shipman of Tampa, Florida and Toni (Vance Shipman) Levering of Minneapolis, Minnesota; many nieces and nephews; and a host of many friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley, on February 5, 2008; his parents, Clarence and Alice Olson; his father-in-law, Carroll E. Shipman; his brother, Clarence J. Olson; his sister, Alice Ann and her husband, Harold Ditch; and a brother-in-law, Vance Shipman.
He attended Township Central Heights for his elementary schooling and graduated from Mason City High School in Mason City, Iowa. Wrestling was a big part of Roger's high school experience. He was a State Wrestling Champion in his weight division in 1957.
Being a caddy at the golf course in Mason City was a favorite past time during his youth. He played golf for the high school golf team for three years and he dreamed about being a professional golfer someday. Roger attended Mason City Junior College for one year and then the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska for one year. While at the University of Nebraska Roger took an Assistant Manager Program through the Bishop’s Buffet restaurant chain. This program enabled him to have a summer job and ultimately proved to him that he would like this kind of work. The program required him to learn all the positions in the food service business.
During high school Roger had met Shirley Kaye Shipman. Roger and Shirley began to date while he was working at Bishop's in downtown Des Moines, Iowa and on May 5, 1962 they were united in marriage.
In June of that year Roger was drafted into the military service. Roger was stationed at Ft. Hood, Texas when their first daughter, Lori Lynn, was born. Roger was stationed in Germany for a period of time and in June of 1964 was discharged from the military.
He returned to Bishop's in Des Moines and was later transferred to a Bishop's in Lincoln, Nebraska as the manager. While living there their second daughter, Stephanie Kristin, was born in 1966. The family next moved back to Des Moines for about three years, this time working at a Bishop’s on Fleur Drive. A highlight of this experience was the privilege he had of serving Arnold Palmer. Roger and Shirley then took a short detour back to Mason City where they explored the idea of owning their own restaurant, soon to realize this was not right for them and moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and eventually Chicago, Illinois area exploring this same venture.
The journey next brought Roger to interview in Pella, Iowa. The historic Strawtown Inn and Restaurant was looking for a manager. Roger managed this thriving business until October 1, 1991. During this experience he had the privilege of meeting dignitaries and serving many other notable people.
In 1991, the greens and fairways were calling to Roger and he decided to take the position as manager of the Pella Golf and Country Club. Roger enjoyed working for Bishop’s, Strawtown and the Golf & Country Club, but his overall favorite experience was with Strawtown Inn.
Roger and Shirley enjoyed vacationing. Their favorite vacations were to Hawaii, cruises and PARTIES.
On October 2, 2009, his journey on earth was completed and a new and better journey began when he passed away at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House having just celebrated his 70th birthday.
Memories will live forever in the minds and hearts of his two daughters and their husbands and five grandchildren. They and their families are: Lori and Dr. Russell Bandstra and their three children: Stephen Andrew, Elizabeth Laine and Christopher Evan Bandstra, 1721 West 4th. Street in Pella; Stephanie and Michael De Jong and their two sons: Nicholas Michael and Matthew Joel De Jong, 312 Central Drive in Pella. Roger leaves his brother, Richard Olson and his wife, Delores, his sister-in-law, LaVonne (Clarence) Olson; his mother-in-law, Gladys A. (Johnson) Shipman, a brother-in-law, Scott Shipman and his fiance, Tracy Boehmer all of Mason City, Iowa; along with two sisters-in-law: Jeanie (Vance) Shipman of Tampa, Florida and Toni (Vance Shipman) Levering of Minneapolis, Minnesota; many nieces and nephews; and a host of many friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley, on February 5, 2008; his parents, Clarence and Alice Olson; his father-in-law, Carroll E. Shipman; his brother, Clarence J. Olson; his sister, Alice Ann and her husband, Harold Ditch; and a brother-in-law, Vance Shipman.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
