Arlen L. Olson

Arlen L. Olson, 70, of Alexander, lost his fight with cancer and passed away on Saturday, November 24, 2018 at his home.

Funeral services for Arlen will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at Ewing Funeral Home, 111 Luick’s Lane South in Belmond.  Burial will follow at the Alexander Cemetery.

Arlen’s family will greet relatives and friends beginning at 10:00 AM at the funeral home on Wednesday.

Arlen was born on October 10, 1948 to Arnie and Effie (Bohman) Olson.  He graduated from CAL high school in Latimer, Iowa in 1966.  April 1967 he joined the United States Air Force and spent two tours of duty in Viet Nam, faithfully served his country, and returned home April 1972.  On April 20, 1974 he married Bonnie Francis at United Methodist Church in Britt, Iowa.  They have one son Travis and have lived in Alexander all their married life.

Arlen grew up on a farm just north of town and farmed most of his life.  He worked for Orville and Roy Arends full time for many years and part time in later years in the Spring and Fall up until this last October.  He also farmed the family farm a few years and in 1990 started working for the Iowa Department of Transportation and retired in 2010.

Arlen was awarded the Governors Meritorious Service Award for finding and rescuing Lindsay Thomas on April 30, 2001.  She had been trapped in her vehicle for 5 days in a steep ditch on I-35.

Arlen volunteered his time to the Alexander community in many ways.  He was a member of the American Legion for many years of his life.  He was a member of the Alexander Fire Department for over 30 years and served as the Fire Chief for 12 years.  He was a long time member of the Alexander City Council and served as Mayor for several years.

Arlen was an HO and O scale train hobbyist and enjoyed building his sets which he grew to take over the full length and a half of the house in the basement.  He loved going to train shows and hobby shops with his son Travis and train buddy Clair.  He also enjoyed fishing, golfing and gambling and sitting under the tree with his loyal cat Smokey.

Arlen is survived by his wife Bonnie, and son Travis of Ansley, Nebraska; sisters Gladys Peterson of Clear Lake and Arleen DeMoss of Cedar Rapids, and brother Edward of Loveland, Colorado, and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents, infant son Zackary, brother Oliver and in-laws Lowell Peterson and Earl DeMoss.