Paul B. Olson

Paul Buxton Olson, 76, of Mason City, died Sunday, December 8, 2013, at the Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines, IA. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, December 12, 2013, at the First United Methodist Church, 119 S. Georgia, with Rev. Sean McRoberts officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM on Wednesday, (December 11, 2013) at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue. Memorials may be directed to the Paul Olson memorial fund in care of the family. Paul was born on February 5, 1937, at the First Presbyterian Hospital in Waterloo, IA, the son of Ethan Sidney and Esther May (Buxton) Olson. Paul graduated from Waterloo West High School in 1954. He earned his BA degree from Tarkio College in Missouri in 1958. Paul enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1960 and was honorably discharged in 1962. He then continued his education at the University of Missouri earning his MA Degree in 1967 and the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) where he earned his Education Specialist Degree in 1975. Paul married Elaine Rinehart on August 18, 1962, in Des Moines, IA. He later married Rosalie Gill on September 12, 1998, in Las Vegas, NV. Paul was a teacher for Mason City Community Schools (28 years), Farragut Community Schools (5 years) and Riverton Consolidated Schools (1 year). His students often referred to him as “Mr. O”. Paul enjoyed working in the Shoe Department at Sears from 1968 – 1998. Paul was a member of the First United Methodist Church where he participated in Men’s Bible Study and was a Lay Speaker. He was also a member DECA, MCEA, ISEA, NEA, IBEA, NBEA, AVA, ITDEA/NADET, PDK, Sons of Norway and UMM. He was a recipient for Teacher of the Year and Docent at the Frank Lloyd Wright Stockman House. Paul enjoyed spending time with his family, friends and visiting with former students. He enjoyed reading, camping, traveling, genealogy, Civil War History, gardening, sports, playing solitaire and collecting stamps, buttons, pins and sports memorabilia. Paul is survived by his children: Brent S. Olson and wife Amy S. of Missouri Valley, IA, Kimberly J. Olson and friend Simo of Chicago, IL, and Julie E. Kuecker and husband Troy of Prairie City, IA; 5 grandchildren: Jessica J. Olson, Rachael J. Olson, Chase M. Kuecker, Alexis E. Kuecker and Tyler A. Kuecker; 1 brother: Samson Alfred Olson and wife Patricia of Olathe, KS and 1 sister: Serene Pearl Olson Klumpar and husband David of Bozeman, MT. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife Rosalie in 2010.

Cemetery:
Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery

Memorials may be directed to the Paul Olson memorial fund in care of the family.

Visitation:
Visitation will be from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM on Wednesday, December 11, 2013, at Major Erickson Funeral Home

Service:
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, December 12, 2013, at the First United Methodist Church