Lyle Richard Olson

Lyle Richard Olson, 92, of Alexandria, NE, passed away May 5, 2024, at Heritage Care Center in Fairbury. He was born to Clarence & Josephine (Vinkenberg) Olson on September 18, 1931, at Hebron, NE. He was baptized in the Friedensau Church, Thayer County.  He spent his early childhood on the farm outside with his dad and then inside the house, enjoying his mom’s good cooking.

Lyle graduated from Daykin High School in 1949, and went into farming with his dad, until he was drafted into the Army. He had basic training at Fort Riley, KS, then shipped overseas, bound for Korea to fight the war. They departed from the West Coast aboard a ship that soon became a scene of most soldiers seasick and very miserable.

Upon landing, they soon settled in for the battles. He was a machine gunner on the front lines and saw plenty of action in the battles of snake pit and punch bowl, and some of his buddies never made it back home. One experience he had was when an incoming mortar lit within 10 feet, but never exploded, meaning it was a dud. His father gave him the advice when he could hear incoming mortars, to immediately hit the ground and lie flat. He made the rank of Sergeant and was urged to stay on in the service with the promise of higher rankings, but he declined and returned home to farm upon his discharge.

He met Carolyn Novotny at a mutual friend’s wedding. They later married and made their home Southeast of Daykin.  To this union four sons were born, Thomas Jay, Rodney Joe, twins Ronald Wayne and Roger John. The saddest time ever for the family was when they lost their son & brother Rodney Joe to cancer in 1976. They healed as best they could, continued farming and enjoyed seeing the three remaining sons grow up, graduate college and become successful. He always had a bit of advice when the boys departed for an evening out saying “Act like you know something!” meaning stay out of trouble!

After retiring, Lyle & Carolyn enjoyed spending the winter season in South Texas in the Rio Grande Valley, meeting & making new friends from different states & Canada.

He was a good husband, father and good provider, strong in faith and courage. He was also a faithful attendee to the Methodist Church until his health failed. He was on the Board of Directors at the Fairbury State Bank and the Daykin Farmers Co-op.

In his later years he became ill with a serious infection which took its toll on his life, spending sick days in and out of the hospitals and nursing homes.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence & Josephine Olson, son Rodney Olson, brother-in-law Jay Carpenter and niece Marie Carpenter.

He is survived by his wife Carolyn of 63 years, sons Tom Olson, Ron & wife Tracey, their daughter Jentry, Roger & wife Michelle, their daughter Savannah & sons Hazen, Tucker, Wyatt & Winston, sister-in-law Irene Carpenter and nephew Greg Carpenter.

Services will be Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 10:00 am at the Methodist Church in Fairbury. Please dress casual.  The family will greet friends Wednesday evening from 5 – 7 at the funeral home. Burial in the Fairbury Cemetery. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.  www.gerdesmeyerfh.com