Robert A. Olsen

Robert A. "Bob" Olsen, 89 of Sioux City, passed away after a yearlong battle with cancer, on Sunday, April 7, 2013 at the Holy Spirit Retirement Home. Funeral Services will be at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, April 13, 2013 at the Nelson-Berger Northside Chapel with Father Michael Erpelding officiating. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation, with the family present will be one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home. Online condolences for the family may be offered at www.meyerbroschapels.com Bob Olsen was born April 6, 1924 and was a lifelong resident of Sioux City, graduating from Central High. Bob served courageously in the U.S. Army Air Force during WWII and awarded the Purple Heart medal after being shot down on a mission to Hamburg, Germany. Bob survived twenty-four missions as radio operator, and gunner on the B-17 "Mission Belle". Bob came home to marry Mary Louise Chaussee and raise three daughters, Terry, Nancy and Patty while working for Iowa Public Service, Sioux Tools and retiring from Wertz Feed in 1986. Bob Olsen divorced in 1970 and dedicated his life helping his sisters, daughters, son-in-laws, grandkids and anyone who needed help. Friends and family were always welcome at the Olsen house on Ross St. on the Westside of town. Bob loved dancing, fishing, woodworking and spending time with his family and friends. Survivors include three daughters, Terry Flynn and husband Bob of Sioux City, Nancy Smith and husband Rusty of Middleton, Idaho, Patty Smith and husband Lucky of Sgt. Bluff, Iowa, six grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, a Cousin Orville Greiner of Sioux City, and numerous nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his father Anton Olsen, mother Bertha Olsen, sister Olga Greiner, sister Helen Montgomery, brother Marven Olsen, sister Eleanor Ahmann, sister Katie Madsen, sister Agnes Olsen and grandson Kip Smith. Pallbearers will be: Rusty Smith, Aaron Smith, Danny Smith, Lucky Smith, Michael Oberg and Troy Fetterman. Bob Olsen touched and influenced the lives of the people who knew him and will be sorely missed. Bob will always be our hero.