Robert W. Olson, Jr., 69 of New Windsor, Illinois, died Saturday, January 14, 2023 at St. Mary’s Medical Center, Galesburg. Visitation is 3 to 7 p.m., Thursday, January 19, at Calvary Lutheran Church, New Windsor. Private burial will be in Hopewell Cemetery. A Celebration of Bob’s Life will be 1 p.m., Friday, January 20, at Calvary Lutheran Church with a luncheon to follow. Memorials may be left for Hopewell Cemetery. Dennison Funeral Home, Viola, is assisting the family.
Robert Wilbur was born January 21, 1953 in Moline, Illinois the son of Robert and Rachel Allison Olson. He was baptized May 13, 1954 at Bethany Lutheran Church, Woodhull. Bob graduated from Winola High School, class of 1971. On December 18, 1971 he married Nancy J. Nelson at Calvary Lutheran Church. Bob worked at IH Farmall Works and farmed, later working 29 years for Goods Furniture. Bob spent his fall hauling crops in for Tom. Bob loved gardening flowers and vegetables…especially pumpkins, tomatoes, and green beans, as well as sunflowers and cosmos. He also enjoyed mowing, and cooking and baking for his family. His rye bread was famous. You could usually find him at The Depot for his daily “tea” with the gang.
Bob was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church, a Rivoli Township Trustee, and President of the Hopewell Cemetery Board. He had also served on the Calvary Church Council, Winola School Board, and Mercer County Fair Board. His favorite place to be was at home with Nancy and his beloved pets Bo, Katie, Penny, and Squirt, enjoying the views – especially sunrises. He was a wonderful father and grandfather.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife: Nancy; children: Angela (Phil) DeBoo and Chris (Allison) Olson; grandchildren: TJ, Nate, Trevor, and Emily; siblings: Dave (Lori) Olson, Rick (Jeannie) Olson, and Kathy Olson; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by daughter: Anna Olson Henderson; his parents; and in-laws: LeRoy “Spud” and Phyllis Nelson.
Online condolences may be left at www.dennisonfuneralhome.com.