Mary Helen Olson

Born in Knoxville, Iowa on September 2, 1919
Departed on June 28, 2007. Resided in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Memorial

Mary Helen Olson, 87, passed away June 28, 2007, following a short illness. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, July 2, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids. Rev. Dr. Herb Isenberg will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, July 1, at Cedar Memorial - Westside Chapel.

Survivors include sons Scott Penny of Cedar Rapids; Ron Sue of Cedar Rapids; and Jock Cherie of Minneapolis, MN; along with grandchildren Scott Olson II Trish; Kristin Sankovitz Jim; Tyler Olson Sarah; Kelli Olson; Mindy Olson fianc? Ethan Domke; Kalen Olson; Jill Olson; and great-grandson Frank Donald Sankovitz.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband J. Donald and her parents Eva and Walker Morehead.

She was born in Knoxville, Iowa and graduated from Knoxville High School and Chillicothe Business School. She met Don at a small town dance in southern Iowa and they were married November 1, 1941, in the Iowa Memorial Union following an Iowa Homecoming football game. An interesting moment in Mary's life occurred in Denison when Mary hired Donna Reed, whose brother bowled with Don, as a baby sitter for Scott and Ron.

Mary led a full life beginning as an administrative assistant to the Iowa State Liquor Commission in Des Moines including double-dating with Ronald Reagan during his time at WHO. While living in Marshalltown she served as a legal clerk for District Judge Robert O'Brien and worked in the county assessor's office. In Cedar Rapids she was employed as an administrative assistant at the Lefebure and Tension Envelope Companies. Then she served as an executive assistant during the founding years of Life Investors working for Ron Jensen, Charlie Stortz and Ernie Zimpfer. After leaving Life Investors Mary and Don owned and operated Touch of the Southwest, a jewelry and art store in downtown Cedar Rapids.

Throughout her working years she always found time to join Don in their passion for the game of golf. They traveled throughout Iowa with many of their friends playing golf and competing in tournaments. They were members of Elmcrest Country Club since 1961. She was an active member of the Iowa Women's Golf Association, a past board member and course rater. Mary was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church and PEO.

She enjoyed e-mailing family and friends, loved watching the Hawkeyes, enjoyed everyone she met, was always a stylish dresser and dressed as an elf every Christmas holiday. Mary never passed up a chance to share a dance with Don or a close friend.

The family would like to thank the staffs at Village Ridge, Living Center West, Mercy Medical Center, Dr. Mark Hogenson and all her friends at Blair House for their special care and friendship with Mary.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1285 3rd Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403 or the Iowa Women's Golf Association at 8515 Douglas Ave., Suite #25, Urbandale, IA 50322.

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