Richard A. Olson, Sr.

MASON CITY: Richard A. “Dick” Olson Sr., 79, of Mason City, died Saturday, May 17, 2014 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit. A funeral mass will be celebrated 10:30 AM Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at Epiphany Parish St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 302 5th Street SE with Rev. Neil Manternach, celebrant. Cremation will take place following the service. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 PM Tuesday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue. A Scriptural wake service will be held at 6:30 PM. Memorials may be directed to the Newman Catholic Athletic Department. Richard was born January 21, 1935 in Manly, Iowa the son of Clarence and Alice (Grefe) Olson. He graduated from Mason City High School in 1954. Richard served in the US Army and retired as Sergeant 1st Class in the Army National Guard in 1991. He married his high school sweetheart, Dolores Edgington, June 10, 1956 in Mason City. Richard loved his career with the US Postal Service, working as a mail carrier, then supervisor. He retired as the Belmond Postmaster in 1990. He served on the Government Employees Credit Union Board and was past president. His greatest love was his family. He was a Webelo and Boy Scout leader, wrestling coach and avid fan. His passion led him to help start wrestling programs in Mason City for both St. Joseph’s Junior High and the Knight Hawk wrestling club. He continued to be a huge Newman Knight fan after his kids graduated not only for his grandchildren, but for many others as he cut out every article and had it laminated for them. Dick and Dolores traveled many weekends to car shows driving the “64” Dart. They also drove the car in the band festival parade for KCMR Radio. Richard enjoyed playing fast-pitch softball for Butter-Top and other area teams. He was inducted into the River City Softball Hall of Fame. One of his greatest joys was going to coffee. It started with the 10 AM mailman breaks at Shill’s Maid-Rite and continued in retirement twice a day, like it was his job. He added a third coffee break with Dolores at Jitters and often said it was the highlight of his week when he had his family and many friends join them. Dick had a gift of gab while his family often waited for him. He never met a person he didn’t like. Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Dolores; children, Richard Jr. (Rick) of Mason City, Doreen (Kent) Willcox of Shoreview, Minnesota, Russ of Mason City, Randy of Tucson, Arizona, Dana (Craig) Anderson of Tacoma, Washington; daughter-in-law, Patti (Steve) Olson-Weiss of Mason City; grandchildren, Jason, Samantha, Alexis, Bree, Alisha, Charity, Felicity, Richard A. III, Bailey, Olivia, Peyton, Jade, Hunter and Hayden; great grandchildren, Tye, Ridley, Adam, Roxie, Jacob and Orion; sister-in-law, LaVonn “Bonnie” Olson; 2 brothers-in-law, Harold and Kyle Edgington; many nieces and nephews. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Clarence Jr. and Roger; sister, Alice Ann and son, Ron