Chandler Olson

Funeral Services for Chandler Olson will be conducted from the Holcomb Evangelical Free Church, north of Holdrege, Nebraska on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Todd Marcy, officiating. Interment will be in the Moses Hill Cemetery in Phelps County, Nebraska.

Clarence "Chandler" Olson, 88 years of age, of rural Holdrege, passed away on Thursday, October 11, 2007 at the Phelps Memorial Health Center at Holdrege. Chandler was born July 11, 1919 on the family farm, north of Holdrege in Phelps County, the eldest of three sons of Andrew and Esther (Rodine) Olson. He received his education from the District #9, Ash Grove School in Phelps County. Following his education, Chandler engaged in farming with his father and brothers north of Holdrege. He then served his country in the United States Army during WW II from June 6, 1942 until his honorable discharge on October 31, 1945. He served in the First Army in the European Theatre as a communications technician, taking part in five battles including: the Normandy Campaign, the Battle of France, the Battle of the Bulge, the Rhineland and Central Germany. He was awarded a Bronze Star Medal for his heroic and meritorious achievement. After his service, Chandler returned home to Phelps County and continued his love for the labor of the land.

On June 30, 1957 he was united in marriage to Betty June Winkler at Lincoln, Nebraska. The couple made their home on the farm north of Holdrege. On October 28, 2005 he was preceded in death by his wife, Betty.

Chandler devoted his time to providing for his family, loved to tinker with mechanics, welding, ironwork and enjoyed baking cookies and cakes with his wife, Betty. He was a member of the Holcomb Evangelical Free Church, where he was active with Awana and was a Sunday school greeter. He was also a lifetime member of the American Legion Post #66 in Holdrege, past member of the V.F.W. and served as a 4-H dog club leader. Being one of the last of "The Great Generation", Chan will be dearly missed.

He leaves to mourn his passing his daughter, Julie Johnson and her husband, Brian of Holdrege; step-son, James Sohl and his wife, Vickie of Lincoln, Nebraska; step-daughter, Cheryl Colliers of Omaha, Nebraska; sister-in-law, Rose Olson of Holdrege; nine grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides his wife, Betty he was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers: Morris Olson and F. Roger "Hopp" Olson and his wife, Joanna.

Chandler will lie in state at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 from 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in his memory and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.