Hugh Olson

Hugh Westfield Olson, age 81 of Beardstown, died Monday, October 3, 2016 at his home.

He was born January 11, 1935 in Youngstown, OH the son of Stanley Hugh and Leon Westfield Olson. He married Jean Rasmussen on September 1, 1956 in Montclair, NJ.

He is survived by his wife Jean Olson of Beardstown, two daughters Lynda J. Olson and Chris (husband Brad) Allen both of Beardstown; two sons Jeff Olson of Burlington, IA and Ty (wife Terri) Olson of Beardstown; seven grandchildren Bre (husband Josh) Stocker of Beardstown, Derek (wife Stacy) Olson of Navarre, FL, Drew (wife Kelly) Olson of Clyde, OH, Raegan Olson of Burlington, IA, Ande and William DeSollar of Beardstown, and Lex Smith of Beardstown; and four great grandchildren Gabe Olson, Kyle Sargent, and Kaiden and Brayden Olson.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Jackie (husband Donald) Smart.

Mr. Olson graduated High School from Waukesha WI., class of 1953. He served eight years in the U.S. Naval Reserves while attending college where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Economics and Education three years at University of WI. and his final year at University of Cal-Davis. He taught Agriculture and Biology in Lake Mills, WI. Which lead him to his career as head buyer for Oscar Mayer. In 1968, Hugh moved his family to Beardstown as the Promotion Manager for Oscar Mayer. He then started his own business raising purebred swine seed stock until he retired. While raising hogs he was also an educator for five years at Beardstown High School Teaching Agriculture.

Hugh was very involved in the communities in which he lived. He was a member of the Jay Cee’s in WI, Rotary Club which he served as president, Beardstown Elks Lodge #1007, Beardstown Little League Board, Cass County Fair Board, President of IL Duroc Assoc., First United Methodist Church and Emmaus. His church was very important to him and he enjoyed serving wherever he was needed. Hugh’s family was his life. During his younger years you could find the family taking off in the summer and traveling from camp site to camp site in the family truck camper crossing the United States and Canada. He had a passion for animals and was known as Dr. Doolittle, you often heard him discussing how to bread a better hog. From riding his horses, selling goats, raising hogs and providing the annual Nativity scene in town animals played a huge role in his life. He will be greatly missed by all.

Memorial services will be held at 3 PM Saturday, October 8, 2016 at First United Methodist Church in Beardstown with Reverend Robert Schoolcraft officiating. There will be no burial. The family will meet with friends from 1-3 PM Saturday at the church prior to the services.

Memorials have been suggested to Cass/Schuyler Area Hospice, Tiger Nation, Beardstown Bread of Love, or PAWS.

Condolences may be left online at www.colwellmemorialhome.com or on Facebook at Colwell Memorial Home.