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Gene Olson

April 9, 1944 - April 12, 2023

Ole “Gene” Olson, Ankeny, IA, was born on April 9, 1944, to Ole G. and Alvina (Hovick) Olson in Ames, IA, and died on April 12, 2023, at the age of 79.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 517 SW Des Moines Street, Ankeny, IA.  A funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m.  Family and friends are invited to join in this celebration of Gene’s life.  Burial will be held at a later date at Fairview Cemetery, Story City, IA. The funeral service will be live streamed at https://bit.ly/htlc-funeral

He was preceded in death by his parents.  An only child, he grew up with 40 first cousins that all lived nearby.  Gene grew up on the Olson family farm and helped with cow milking, pig raising, and field work.  He had ponies and horses and also worked for a neighbor showing ponies statewide and nationally.

Gene graduated from Randall Center of South Hamilton Community Schools in 1962 with sixteen athletic letters and from Ellsworth Junior College in 1964 with basketball and baseball letters.  He continued his education at Drake University, graduating in 1966 with a BA Degree in Economics, and was a lifetime member of Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity.

After college he went to basic training for the Army National Guard in Ft. Leonard Wood, MO.  He married Susan K. Peterson in 1967, and they made their home in Ankeny, IA.

In 1967, he began his career at American Republic Insurance Company as a management trainee in claims.  He became NASD qualified and was an officer for American Republic Assurance & Equities Company.  He had compliance responsibilities and traveled out of state for field audits.  When their operation was moved to TN, he continued his career at Bankers Life (now Principal) in Des Moines, IA, as an agent and as a registered representative for Princor.  He obtained his Chartered Life Underwriter designation in 1978.  Due to health reasons, he retired in 2009.  He continued his avid interest in Drake basketball and other sports throughout his life.

Gene is survived by his wife, and two sons, Randall Gene (Kelsey) and Steven Dennis, and five grandchildren:  Aubrey, Keaton, Kiernan, Peter, and Benjamin.  He thoroughly enjoyed attending his sons’ and grandchildren’s activities. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Dennis Peterson (Jennifer), and their family.

The family wishes to thank his loyal caregivers over these last years of health challenges.  They have been a blessing.