James A. Olson, 89 years old, passed away at 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at his home. Jim was born on October 6, 1929 in Westville, IN to the late Wayne A. and Barbara A. (Sibbrell) Olson. He has been a lifelong area resident.
On March 31, 1952 in Lakeville, IN, Jim and Marie E. Kaser, daughter of Ralph and Hazel (Rudduck) Kaser, were united in marriage at Lakeville United Methodist Church. Along with his loving wife, Marie, of 66 years, James is survived by his children, Tammy J. (Earl) Ulbricht of South Bend, Patti M. Olson of Columbus, OH, and James E. (Lynn) Olson of North Liberty; five grandchildren, Ashley Ulbricht of Carmel, IN, Rachel (Jeff) VanWilligan of Pendergrass, GA, Erin (John) Ferguson of South Bend, Steven (Renee) Olson of South Bend, and Roman (Delta) Olson of South Bend; nine great grandchildren; a special nephew, Larry (Janet) Kaser, of Pinnellas Park, FL; and dear cousins, Shirley (Olson) Doms, of Mill Creek, IN, and Frank Violanti, of Fresno, California. Mr. Olson is also survived by his adored Maltese companion, Rockne Harrison, and dear friends and neighbors who were like sons and daughters to him, including: Janet Monroe, of North Liberty, Bob and Nancy Watson, also of North Liberty, Russ and Gloria Buysse, of South Bend, and Pat and Linda Thorpe of the Ozarks.
Jim was preceded in death by his two sisters, Velma Blystone and Jean Olson, and most recently, on November 5, 2018, by his son-in-law, Earl L. Ulbricht. He was also preceded in death by his beloved nephew, Larry (Pat) Lane of Valparaiso, IN, and dear cousin, Effie (Schrader) Violanti, of Long Beach, MS. Jim served his country in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War as a Sgt.
in the First Marine Division. While fighting in Korea, he took part in the “Battle of Inchon,” also known as the “Inchon Landing,” where he fought to maintain control of Seoul, Korea, and assisted in its recapture. After taking the capital of Seoul a second time, Jim fought in the infamous and bloody battle of the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea.
He received a Purple Heart in honor of his heroic bravery and actions that transpired on or about December 9, 1950 at the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir. In a twist of irony, he celebrated his 21st birthday while fighting in Korea, but spent his birthday night pinned down inside a Korean brewery near the Yalu River. Semper Fi!
As a Marine, Jim achieved the distinction of “Expert Rifleman”. As such, when he returned home from the Korean War, he was asked to teach weapons courses at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Jim was a member of the VFW Post 1954 in North Liberty, the St. Joseph Valley Marine Corps League, a Life Member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, a Life Member of the Disabled American Veterans, a 59 year Member of the North Liberty Masonic Lodge #266, F & AM, and a member of the Wilbur “Bud” Crane American Legion Post #400 in Fish Lake, IN.
James has received the distinguished honor of having his name memorialized at the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation in Quantico, Virginia on the Wall of Honor, where Marines and their sacrifices are honored each day. Jim retired in 1989 after 36 years of employment with Indiana Bell as a telephone exchange repairman, where he was known by his beloved co-workers as “Ole,” “Swede,” and “Jimbo”. They always called upon him to fix the “un-fix-able” interruption of the communication cable service line, and he truly loved his occupation.
One of his favorite assignments was serving as the University of Notre Dame Football Sideline Communications Technician during football home games. While on the sidelines, he witnessed the famous “Trojan Horse” that occupied the field during half time of the 1977 Green Jersey Game between Notre Dame and USC. When Jim was not working at Indiana Bell, he served his community for many years as Scout Master for Boy Scouts of America.
He led Troop 316 at Sumption Prairie United Methodist Church. While Scout Master, he had the largest troop in the area and won many awards for the Troop’s performance at Camp Tamarack, where he was a member of the Order of the Arrow. He also enjoyed serving as a “Rainbow Dad” for the Order of the Rainbow for Girls North Liberty Assembly No.
52. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 225 E. Haney Street, South Bend. Pastor Jeff Zell will officiate.
Military graveside services will follow at Sumption Prairie Cemetery, South Bend, where Jim served as the President and was on the Board of Directors for many years. Friends may visit with the family from 3:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 4th at the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan Street, South Bend where the North Liberty Masonic Lodge will conduct services at 7:00 p.m. Friends may also visit with the family one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday, and are welcome to join the family post-burial at a funeral luncheon to be served at the Sumption Prairie United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of James A. Olson may be donated to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 225 E. Haney Street, South Bend, IN 46613, where Jim has been a faithful member, or to the North Liberty Masonic Lodge, 3887 S. Hupp Road, LaPorte, IN 46350.
Online condolences may be offered to the Olson family at www. palmerfuneralhomes.com.
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