Kenneth Victor Olsen

Kenneth Victor Olsen, the son of Victor and Emma (Jensen) Olsen, was born November 28, 1931, at his parents’ home in Hamlin, Iowa and died June17, 2018, at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 86 years, 6 months, and 20 days.
Kenny attended school in Hamlin, Iowa, rural Wiota, Iowa, and then graduated from the Audubon High School with the Class of 1950. He then was employed by the Franck Brothers. In 1951, he enlisted in the United States Navy. During his tour of duty he served on a tug boat in San Diego, California and then on the U.S.S. Taylor in the Pacific during the Korean Conflict.
On November 23, 1952, he was united in marriage to Merrilyn Northup at the First Methodist in Audubon, Iowa. They were blessed with three children Vickie, Debra, and Mike. Kenny and Merrilyn returned to San Diego where Kenny was stationed until he received orders to report the U.S.S. Taylor. Merrilyn returned to Audubon and Kenny sailed to Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Pearl Harbor. He was honorably discharged in 1955 and returned to Audubon. Kenny rented some farm land east of Audubon and then later purchased two farm. They grew row crops and raised livestock. They farmed for many years until they retired in 1995 and moved into Audubon. Kenny and Merrilyn enjoyed traveling and fishing. They learned the art of taxidermy and did many projects together. Merrilyn died May 5, 2010. Kenny lived at home until he moved to the Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa on June 4, 2018.
Kenny was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, Iowa. He was a 4-H leader for many years and was a member of the Audubon County Pork Producers and the Audubon Cattlemen’s Association. Kenny enjoyed the many trips to the Chicago Stock Yards during T-Bone Days in Audubon. He was a member of the Dale Christensen Post #4119, V.F.W. and the American Legion Post #120, Audubon, Iowa. Kenny enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, and was a member of Pheasants Forever. He enjoyed the many family “get togethers” over the years and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
Preceding him in death was his wife Merrilyn Olsen; his son-in-law Marshall Brasel; his parents and his sister Geraldine and her husband Don Biederman.
Survivors include his children Vickie and husband Dave Albers of Audubon, Iowa, Debra Brasel of Lander, Wyoming, and Mike and wife Lida Olsen of Sumner, Iowa; his grandchildren: Cody Albers of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Tara Skiba and Adam and wife Shaylynn Brasel all of Lander, Wyoming, Jodi Olsen of Waterloo, Iowa, Katie Olsen of Sioux City, Iowa and Jason and wife Julie Olsen of Omaha, Nebraska; his great grandchildren Hailey Skiba, Emily Skiba, and Blakely Brasel all of Lander, Wyoming; nieces, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Doug Opp on Wednesday, June 20, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, Iowa. Interment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon. The casket bearers will be Kent Weber, Craig Weber, Terry Thygesen, Tim Andersen, Bruce Andersen, and Scott Hansen. The family will meet with friends Tuesday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon, Iowa.