Gene R. Olson's Obituary
Gene R. Olson, 75, of Camanche, passed away, Saturday, July 3, 2021, at Big Meadows – Savanna, Illinois, after a long fight with Parkinson’s.
A Celebration of Gene’s life will be held Saturday, July 10, 2021, at Immanuel Lutheran Church – Camanche from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A Private Burial will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery. The Camanche Chapel Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes & Crematory is assisting the family.
Gene Richard Olson was born on April 7, 1946, in Postville, Iowa, the son of Richard and Evelyn (Dugstad) Olson in Postville, Iowa. Gene was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith. He was a 1964 graduate of Valley High in Clermont. He served in the United States Coast Guard from 1964 to 1968. He married Judy Shirley and later divorced. Gene married Janice (Kuehl) Garcia on May 12, 1984, in Camanche; she died August 30, 2019.
Gene was a dispatcher for Carstensen’s and a Teamster union member. He was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Camanche. He enjoyed spending time with family, watching the Minnesota Vikings, Iowa Hawkeyes, and Nascar. He collected John Deere memorabilia as his father owned a John Deere dealership.
Gene is survived by his sons: John (Marcy) Olson of Maquoketa, Iowa, Daniel (Tammy) Olson of Maquoketa, Michael Olson of Davenport, Iowa; two step-daughters: Patricia (Ed) Stearns of Camanche, Julie (Rodney) Arends of O’Fallon, Missouri; two step-sons: Michael (Shawnda) Garcia of Holland, Michigan, Mitchell (Lakeisha) Garcia of McKinney, Texas; 10 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, 13 step-grandchildren, and 16 step-great-grandchildren; and his two sisters: Grace Swenson of Claremont, Iowa, and Carolyn Smith of McGregor, Iowa. He was preceded death by his parents, his wife, and his sister: Mary.
Memorials can be made to the family.
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