Randy Olson

Randy RO Olson VIDEO TRIBUTE

Randy Lynn "RO" Olson was born May 24, 1952, to Maynard and LaQueta (Knoff) Olson in Moorhead, Iowa. He was baptized in the Soldier Lutheran Church, and he was confirmed in the Bethesda Lutheran Church in Moorhead. Randy graduated from East Monona High School in 1970. He was active in 4H and showed cattle in the Monona County Fair, Four County Fair, and Aksarben. He also played baseball, football, track & field, played the trumpet and sang in the choir. He attended Morningside College to study livestock management, but he then enlisted in the Iowa Air National Guard 185th Technical Fighter Division in Sioux City, Iowa. He completed his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Randy was trained as a weapons mechanic at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado. He was honorably discharged as a sergeant. After the service, he farmed with his father. He married Sandra Lee on July 27, 1973, and the couple lived on a farm east of Moorhead. Randy then worked for ANSCO Seed in Whiting, Jordan Soldier Valley Telephone Company, Long Lines, the Moorhead Co-op, and McDonald Construction. Randy and some of his friends formed the Soldier Lunch Bunch for the Soldier Centennial. Later on Randy, Sandy, Dennis and Sharon Swenson and Terry Swain expanded the catering business and renamed it the Traveling Grill.
Randy continued his love of sports and played softball for the Moorhead Merchants. He also played for the Air National Guard and competed in the national tournament that was held in Sioux City. He played 3rd base for both the slow pitch and fast pitch teams. Randy was an avid Husker fan. He also loved watching his girls play sports, show livestock, dance on the drill team, and participate in speech and music events. Randy was blessed with one granddaughter, Cady. He particularly enjoyed teaching her to read, draw and color. He also showed her how to play ball, fish, swing the golf club, and play cards. Randy was passionate about the outdoors ~ fishing, hunting and lots of snow. Randy's church family, the choir, and his friends were incredibly important to him. He took great pleasure in playing cards, board games, dancing and particularly teaching the two step.
Randy died on Friday, January 6, 2006, at Mercy Hospital in Sioux City, Iowa attaining the age of 53 years, 7 months, and 13 days. At the same time of Randy's death, an eight pound healthy girl was born and is now Sandy and the girls' angel.
Randy was preceded in death by his grandparents and his father, Maynard. He is survived by his wife, Sandy Olson of Moorhead, Iowa, three daughters, Stacy Helton of Soldier, Iowa, Carly and her husband Bob Snider of Onawa, Iowa, Marcy Olson of Onawa, Iowa; mother, LaQueta and her husband Neal Gorham of Soldier, Iowa; brother, Craig Olson and his wife Linda of Soldier, Iowa; one granddaughter Cady Lynne Helton of Soldier, Iowa; parents-in-laws Kenneth and his wife LaVirta Lee of Soldier, Iowa; brother-in-law Dennis his wife Nudcha Lee of Illinois; sister-in-law Vicky Lee and her partner Beliz Brother of Seattle, Washington; two nephews Aaron Olson and Derek Lee; two nieces Nina Olson and Courtney Lee; and many other relatives and friends.