Lester Olsen

Lester L. "Ole" Olsen, 78, of Sioux City died unexpectedly Tuesday, July 11, 2006, at a Sioux City hospital from natural causes.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel, with the Rev. Shelley Aakre officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the U.S. Army. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Lester was born Dec. 12, 1927, in Hartington, Neb., the son of William and Mary Caroline (Melvard) Olsen. He had been a resident of Sioux City since 1942. He served in the U.S. Army from 1946 to 1947 and again from 1950 to 1952.

He married LaVonne Louise Durston on Aug. 13, 1955, in South Sioux City. She died April 5, 2001, in Sioux City. He was a truck driver for Red Ball Transfer for 19 years, then for Yellow Freight for 15 years, retiring in 1985.

He was involved in bowling leagues and enjoyed walking in the tunnel at St. Luke's. He also love to fish, hunt, garden and watch western movies. However, he especially loved his grandchildren and great-granddaughters.

Survivors include a daughter, Marlene Stout of Rapid City, S.D.; three grandsons, Mark (Michelle) Stout of McCook Lake, S.D., Brandon Stout of Walthill, Neb., and T.J. Plume of Rapid City, S.D.; two great-granddaughters, Chloe and Madeline Stout; four siblings and their spouses, Leola Crane of Norfolk, Neb., Arthur (Annetta) Olsen of South Sioux City, Florence Cobler of Hartington, Neb., and Betty (Joe) Schaefer of Hartington; three sisters-in-law, Violet Longlee of Salix, Iowa, Vonna Sorensen of Sioux City and Lilly (Joseph) Smith of Allen, Neb.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; four siblings and spouses, Kenneth (Alyce) Olsen, Mildred (Milo) Martin, Ralph (Blanche) Olsen and Donald (Sylvia) Olsen; and a brother-in-law, William I. Cobler Sr.

Pallbearers will be Mark Stout, Brandon Stout, T.J. Plume, Rodney Olsen, Tom Cobler and Bill Cobler.

Memorials in his name may be directed to the American Heart Association.