"Sincere sympathy to Gene\'s family. We had lots of good times around the campfire with him, we will be missed! Laurie and Todd"
Eugene "Toby" Raymond Olson was born July 19, 1944 to Oluf and Helen (Wessel) Olson at their family home in rural Dow City, Iowa. He was baptized into the Lutheran faith on October 22, 1944 . He was confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Dow City on May 1, 1960.
The family lived in the Dow City area where Toby attended Dow City Community School until 1960 when they moved to Denison. He attended Denison Community School and graduated on May 24, 1962. Toby joined the United States National Guard and after his training was completed, he attended Fort Dodge Community College graduating with a business management degree.
Through the years, Toby lived in Iowa, Missouri, Colorado and Oregon. He raised hogs, worked on a dude ranch, was assistant grocery store manager and owned a gas station and bar and grill. He also worked at Eventide Lutheran Home before his retirement.
Toby never had kids but that didn't stop him from enjoying all the kids in the family. He spent many evenings around his fire pit roasting hot dogs and making smores with them. He was an avid gardener; sharing his knowledge and the fruits of his labor with family and friends. Toby was blessed to have two amazing neighbors to swap stories, knowledge and work through the years.
Toby passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Friday, January 29, 2021 at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison attaining the age of seventy-six years, six months and ten days. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ole and Helen; infant brother, Lyle Laverne; brother, Gordon Olson; brother-in-law, Rex Siemer; great-niece, Maggie Olson.
He is survived by two brothers, Bob Olson and his wife Roseann of Deloit and Wayne Olson of Spickard, Missouri; four sisters, Dona Siemer of Spickard, Missouri, Diana and her husband Lonnie Blunk of Princeton, Missouri, Debbie and her husband Creston Schubert of Galva, Iowa, and Cindy and her husband Ron Hoffmeier of Denison. He is also survived by 9 nieces, 14 nephews and many other relatives and friends, especially Sonny and Butch.
Visitation is 5:00 - 7:00 PM on Sunday, February 7, 2021 at the Huebner Funeral Home in Denison, Funeral Service is 10:00 AM on Monday, February 8, 2021 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Schleswig. Interment is in Soldier Lutheran Cemetery in Soldier. Memorials may be directed to the family.
The family respectfully requests masks be worn and social distancing be observed by those attending the events.
Live streaming will be available at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 8, 2021 at the "Huebner Funeral Home" facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/huebnerfuneralhome/
"Sincere sympathy to Gene\'s family. We had lots of good times around the campfire with him, we will be missed! Laurie and Todd"
"Words can\'t explain our feelings of loss. He was a very special family member. Our love to all. Sonny, Tangie and Ryan Pam"
"Our sympathy to the Family . Gene was like a family member to us. We always had some good laughs !!!! Some adventures Him and Butch would talk me into going on with them . ( Trip to Missouri ) Words can\'t express how much he\'s going to be missed by our family . Fly high Gene !!! Until we meet again. All our love . Love Butch & Kim "
"Words can\'t express the loss we feel. You were a very special family member. Our love to all. Sonny Olson, Tangie and Ryan Pam Olson"
"Words can\'t express the loss we feel. You were a very special family member. Our love to all. Sonny Olson, Tangie, Ryan, and Pam Olson"
"Gene was a classmate of our Class of 1962. He will be missed. Lois and Paul Shook"
"I was deeply saddened to hear about Gene?s passing. I had the opportunity to wait on Gene several times where I work, always fondly referring to him as my cowboy when I?d see him in the store. I was very nervous the first time I waited on him. Immediately smitten with the dapper outfit; the boots, hat, vest and handkerchief, and his kind, soft smile. In order to impress him I did my best to swiftly and efficiently process his request. As he patiently waited at the counter I foolishly said out loud to the my coworkers, ?Eugene Olson doesn?t know it yet, but we?re about to become best friends.? Embarrassed, I glanced up at him. He was mouthing a chuckle. ?Oh duhhh, just because he can?t talk doesn?t mean he can?t hear me!? He was a good sport. I will miss him very much. My condolences to his family."
"Herman and I send our sympathy to all of the Olson family. We both knew him and his family through different paths of life during the time that the family lived northwest of Dow City. May your memories sustain you during this sad time."