Gary Olson

It is with great sadness that the family of Gary Leon Olson, 82, of Davenport, Iowa announce his peaceful passing on Thursday, February 20, 2025, with his daughter and best friend at his side.

Per his request, cremation has been accorded and a gathering to celebrate his life will be held from 5-7pm on Wednesday, February 26, at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport. 

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.

Gary was born June 7, 1942, in Breckenridge, MN, eldest son of Odean and Angeline “Angie” (nee. Jaeger) Olson of Wyndmere, ND.

Early on, Odean moved the family to the Black Hills to serve at the Igloo Army Depot. Gary spent the next 22 years in the Black Hills where he attended grade school, graduated from Provo High School, then continued his education at Chadron State Teacher’s College in Chadron, NE. His favorite job was working as a lifeguard at the Black Hills National Forest – Sheridan South Swim Beach. 

In 1965, Gary was drafted into the US Army, stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO and later in Nellingen, Germany. In 1967 while stationed in Germany he met Gerlinde (nee. Heymann), after an honorable discharge Gary returned to Savanna, IL with Gerlinde and her son, Gerald "Gerry" Snowden, as his first wife. They soon had daughter Grace who affectionately became the love of his life. In 1978, Gary married second wife Kathleen Klavon (nee. Jaeger), they were together for 16 years.

Gary served with the government for 30 additional years, with duty stations including: the Savanna Army Depot, Rock Island Arsenal (RIA), Ft. Carson, Fulda and Kaiserslautern Germany, retiring at RIA in 1990.

His favorite hobby included golfing. After his retirement he worked part time Glynn’s Creek G.C., Credit Island G.C., and Royal Meadows G.C. in Kansas City, Mo. deeming himself as the first CEO of the “LOFT” (IYKYK) Golf Team. 

Gary was known for his sharp wit, storytelling, and a heartful of love for those close to him. Competitive in nature, he was a lover of sports from golf, tennis, football, bowling, Cubs baseball, a lover of westerns, and countless card games with family and friends. He enjoyed his weekly routine of visiting various dining establishments, visiting his favorite waitresses and the bowling alley to win a friendly game of bets, with bowling secondary to winning some extra change. 

Those left to honor his memory include his daughter Grace (Dwayne “Nova”) Nelson and grand cat “Tigger” of Baltimore, MD; brother Michael Olson and niece Angelina “Angie” Olson of Kyle, TX; Teresa “Teree” Meierotto, affectionately known as a second daughter/friend of Fort Madison, IA; best friend Joe Colarusso; special friend Mary Walker and her son Jon of Davenport, IA; and a host of loved cousins, Provo High School alumni, and many friends.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents.

A scattering ceremony will be held in the foothills of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Keystone, SD at a determined date later this year.

Online remembrances may be expressed at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.