Robert L. Olson

Robert L. Olson, 92 of Tokio, ND died in a house fire early Sunday morning, December 5, 2010 at his home in Tokio. Funeral Services for Robert will be held on Saturday, December 11, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake with Pastor Larry Thiele officiating. Burial with Military Honors will be at the Dakotah Oyate Lutheran Cemetery in the spring. Robert L. Olson was born on April 13, 1918 at Devils Lake, ND the son of Ole and Eva (Emigh) Olson. He was reared and educated in the Tokio area. Robert entered the United States Army at Fort Snelling, Minnesota on October 29, 1942 and served his country with the 22nd Tank Division in the European African Middle Eastern Theater and was a part of the Ardennes, (Battle of the Bulge) the Rhineland and the Central Europe Campaigns. Robert was honorably discharged on January 3, 1946 with the rank of Technician 4. After his discharge, Robert returned to Tokio where he lived and worked for the rest of his life. He worked as a farm laborer for several farmers in the Tokio area. Robert was united in marriage to Nancy Thompson Owlboy on July 2, 1953. Nancy passed away on October 1, 1983. Robert was known and loved by everyone in Tokio and was called dear friend by many. We have lost someone very special to us and we will hold his memory in our hearts forever. Robert is survived by his two brothers, Jimmie Olson and his wife Ally, Ole Olson all of Hillsboro; grandchildren, Bonnie Jerome of rural Sheyenne, ND, Jodi Handley of Georgia and Gabriel Smith of Tokio; great grandchildren, Hernando Jerome, Amanda Jerome, Rae Ann Jerome, Dana Baer, Samantha Baer, Marissa Baer and Rocky Baer all of Tokio; several nieces, nephews and their families also survive. Robert was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Nancy; daughters, Darlene Jerome and Lucille Longie; son, Raphael Jerome; granddaughter, Debbie Jerome; great granddaughter, Jamie Jerome; brother, James Olson; sisters, Gladys Walford and Florence DeMarce.