LAWRENCE THOMAS OLSEN was born to Henry T. Olsen and Clara (Andersen) Olsen on December 12, 1931 on the family farm northeast of Lyons, Nebraska.  He passed away surrounded by his family on February 15, 2008 at Creighton University Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 76 years.

Lawrence attended elementary school at Edgington Elementary school northeast of Lyons and graduated from Lyons High School in 1949.  Lawrence was a member of the Future Farmer’s of America achieving the honor of Nebraska State Farmer.  After graduating from high school, he began his farming career and continued until the time of this death.
 
Throughout Lawrence’s life he served on numerous community boards including the Logan Township Board and the Midwest Veterinary Board.  Lawrence was a baseball coach for the Lyons Legion Team.  He served on the Lyons High School Board of Education from 1967-1979 serving as Board President from 1975-1979.  During his tenure on the School Board he awarded three of his four children their high-school diplomas.  Lawrence served on the Oakland Hospital Board from 1984 to 2008, as well as, the Hospital Foundation Board where he has been instrumental in the hospital expansion project.  Additionally, Lawrence was a member of the Memorial United Methodist Church for 57 years and a member of the Masonic Lodge #240 Lyons and Masonic Lodge #31 Tekamah since 1971. 

In the early seventies, Lawrence acquired his pilot’s license, purchased his own plane, and enjoyed many hours of flying with his buddies at the Port of the Grounded Grouse.  Throughout Lawrence’s life, he enjoyed deer and coyote hunting, and numerous annual fishing trips to Canada with his friends. 

Lawrence is survived by his mother, Clara, Lyons (101 years of age); his wife Darlene (Christensen) Olsen, his children Lonnie (Lezlie) Olsen, Lyons; Lori (Steve) Jensen, Lyons; Lorna (Rich) Parsons, California; Jennifer (Kelly) Barada, Columbus, NE.  Nine grandchildren, Clayton Olsen, Erica Stillman, Bryce Olsen, Tracy Jensen, Tammy Brownell, Kevin Jensen, Garrett Jensen, Dustin Smith, Drew Smith, Landon Barada and Karly Barada and 10 great grandchildren; stepchildren, Kristie (Robert) Freeman, Jani Appleby and Mary Piper; two step-grandchildren, Ashley and Jordan Freeman; one step great-grandchild; sisters, Ann (Gary) Olsen and Elda Minton, both of Lyons.

His father, Henry and brother-in-law, Michael Minton, precede him in death.

Casket bearers were his seven grandsons, Clayton, Bryce, Kevin, Garrett, Dustin, Drew and Landon.

Honorary casket bearers were his granddaughters and his great grandchildren and his many friends to numerous to mention.

Lawrence will be missed deeply by his family and host of friends.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Tuesday, February 19th, 2008, 10:00 am at the Memorial United Methodist Church in Lyons, Nebraska.

VISITATION: Monday, February 18th, 2008, 1 - 8 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 6 - 8 p.m. at Pelan Funeral Home in Lyons. Visitation will also be held Tuesday at the church one hour prior to the service.

BURIAL: Lyons Cemetery

MEMORIALS: Memorial United Methodist Church Lyons and the Oakland Mercy Hospital Foundation.

Please feel free to send your condolences to the family.
Each condolence will be printed and given to the family after the service.

pelan@pelanfuneralservices.com