George W. Olson

George W. Olson, 86, local businessman and cattleman, of Hershey, died Dec. 4, 1998, at his home after a lengthy illness.
George was born during a blizzard in a sod house on March 3, 1912, near Elsie to Andrew F. and Bertha M. Kariger Olson. He moved with his parents to a farm near Platte Valley in 1914. When he was 9 years old, he was afflicted with a bone disease and missed two years of schooling. He also spent a long period of time at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Lincoln.

He graduated from Platte Valley High School in 1929 and then moved to Hershey where he assisted his father at the Snowflake Service Station.

On June 4, 1932, he married Berdeen Overmier Haugland in Lexington. They moved to Sutherland in 1934 and ran a service station there for two years. Returning to Hershey, they bought the home they’ve lived in since.

Mr. Olson worked for Union Pacific Railroad as a billing clerk during the World War II years and also as a clerk for the North Platte Livestock Company. He started the Hershey Fertilizer Company, then acquired the Ogallala Fertilizer Company soon after. He and his son incorporated Olson Farms in 1964. His wife assisted as bookkeeper and they farmed and raised cattle as well. He retired in 1986.

He was an active member of Maria Lutheran Church, served several terms as an administrative board member and was treasurer for many years. He was a member of the Feeder and Rancher Organization and served on the Hershey School Board when the district was being reorganized. He belonged to the B.P.O. Elks No. 985 and the North Platte Country Club.

He and his wife traveled extensively in the 1970s. They visited Europe, the Orient, Australia, New Zealand, South America and the Middle East. The two enjoyed 66 years as man and wife.

Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Janelle (Glen) Emert of Laurel and Georgena (Alan) Arnett of Loveland, Colo.; a son, Andrew (Marcia) of Hershey; a sister, Rosella (Robert) Butterworth of Venice, Fla.; eight grandchildren, Kevin (MaryAnn) Miller, Karma (Ronnie) Reed, Kent (Glenda) Miller, Kirk (Tracy) Olson, Kim (Keith) Lutrell, Chris (Katey) Arnett Casey Arnett and Kendra Olson; 15 great grandchildren; a niece, Patricia (David) Malone of Nashville, Tenn.; other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials have been established for the Maria Lutheran Church and the Hershey Alumni Scholarship Fund.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in North Platte with Pastor Margaret Olson officiating. Burial will be in Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens.

The casket will not be opened at the church.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C and Sycamore.