William M. Bill" Oleson

William Meier (Bill) Oleson, 88, of 304 Meadow Lane, died Friday, February 2, 2007 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit. Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM Monday at the First United Methodist Church, 119 S. Georgia with Rev. Jim Stiles and Rev. Jo Frahm Watkins officiating. Interment will be in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery. Military rites will be conducted by the Mason City Veterans Memorial Association. Visitation will be from 2:00 to 4:00 PM Sunday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue and continue at the church on Monday one hour before services. The casket will be closed at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the William M. Oleson Memorial Fund. Bill was born on April 28, 1918 in Mason City, Iowa to William B. and Mary E. (Meier) Oleson. Bill graduated from Mason City High School in 1937, and married Dorothye E Norby on September 28, 1940. He was employed by the J.C. Penney Company in Mason City and was transferred to the Webster City store for training as a store manager. During this time, their daughter, Sharon Kay, was born. Shortly thereafter, Bill served in W.W. II in General Patton?s Third Army Combat Ordinance and was stationed in France, England, and Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1945 with the rank of staff sergeant. Following his discharge, Bill went into partnership with his father, William B. Oleson, and formed the Olseson and Oleson Real Estate and Insurance Company. He retired in 1995. Twin daughters, Janet Elizabeth and Jean Mary were born on February 5, 1954. His wife, Dorothye, died on August 25, 1958. Bill married LaVonne Erickson Hubbs on December 26, 1960 and adopted LaVonne?s daughters, Jane and Lynn. LaVonne died on January 16, 1995. Bill was an active member of Mason City?s First United Methodist Church; he taught Sunday school and held many positions within the church. Bill was past president of the Mason City Exchange Club and the Mason City Board of Realtors and Multiple Listings. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a lifetime member of the Elks, and a charter member of the North Iowa Transition Center of Mason City. Bill dearly loved his family and family gatherings. He embraced life and lived it to the fullest. Summers were treasured and spent at the cottage in Clear Lake, Iowa, swimming, boating, sailing, skiing and picnicking. He also enjoyed his family?s summer camping trips throughout the United States and Canada as well as traveling abroad. He was proud of his pilot?s license and spent many hours flying his red and silver Cessna. Bill was a friend to many; it was his life?s mission to lend a hand in need, both near and far. Bill is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law: Sharon (Sherry) and Larry Andersen of Austin, Minnesota, Janet and Scott Petersen of Mason City, Jean Oleson of Aliso Viejo, California; step-daughters: Jane Stalheim of Ames, Lynn Overton of Littleton, Colorado; grandchildren: Scott, Jeff, and Chad Andersen; Elizabeth Parrott, Benjamin and Katherine Petersen, Michael and Megan Oleson; step grandchildren, Jennifer Steenbeke and Terri Stalheim, Caleb, Leah and Griffith Overton; great grandchildren: Cassie, Greta, Clara Andersen, Isabelle, Elizabeth, Emily Andersen, Madeline Parrott: step grandchild, Austin Steenbeke; very dear friend, Mary Saug of Mason City. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, wives, Dorothye and LaVonne; granddaughter, Lori Anderson and infant twin grandchildren, Michael and Michelle Andersen; sister, Mildred Brown. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:7

Visitation:
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue on February 4, 2007 (map/driving directions) 5:00 PM to 5:00 PM at 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue on February 2, 2007 (map/driving directions)

Service:
10:00 AM at on February 5, 2007 (map/driving directions)