Olaf Jens Olsen

Olaf Jens Olsen, also known as Bud or Ole to family and coworkers, passed away peacefully on May 21, 2025, at Meadow Grove Transitional Care in Grove City, Ohio following complications of stroke. He was born on March 23, 1936, on a farm near Vincent, Iowa, and grew up in an agricultural community, which instilled in him a deep appreciation for hard work and integrity.

Olaf cherished family time, and along with his wife Jytte (Judy in English), proudly raised their four sons. Olaf is survived by sons Alan (Anita) Olsen, Aaron (Kris) Olsen, Arnold (Bree Blakely) Olsen, and Andrew (Teresa) Olsen. He found immense pride in watching his boys grow into adulthood, a testament to the strong family values he instilled. He enjoyed visiting with their six grandchildren, including Kendra (Edip) Atiz, Kristen (Jay) Jackson, Adam (Jenny) Olsen, Joel (Sarah) Olsen, Tyler (Jordan) Olsen, and Gage Olsen, as well as their ten great-grandchildren Cody Olsen, Louise Atiz, Harper Olsen, Addyson Olsen, Carson Olsen, Kit Olsen, Grayson Olsen, Lane Olsen, Jaxon Olsen, and Ian Jackson.

Second youngest of eleven siblings, Olaf is survived by his sister Esther Albrecht and his brother Oscar (Carolyn) Olsen.

Olaf was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Jytte Elleby (Jensen) Olsen; his parents, Ole Jens Olsen and Henrietta H. (Wickerink) Olsen; brothers Carl, Leonard, Otto, and James Olsen; sisters Laura Lawrence, Julia Wilshusen, Olive Nichols, and Sarah Olsen; and daughter-in-law Heather (Andrew) Olsen.

Olaf began his career as a draftsman at AVCO New Idea in Fort Dodge, Iowa. His industrious spirit led him to also work evenings loading delivery trucks for Schwan's Ice Cream. Following the shutdown of the Fort Dodge plant, he was transferred to AVCO New Idea in Coldwater, Ohio, where he rose to the role of quality control manager and executive. After retiring from New Idea, Olaf joined the Gehl Company in West Bend, Wisconsin, continuing his dedication to quality management. Even after retirement, he remained active, taking on part-time roles at Giant Eagle Grocery and Manheim Auto Auction in Grove City, where his rare ability to drive manual transmission vehicles and navigate tall trucks kept him in demand.

Olaf graduated from Eagle Grove High School in Iowa. A proud veteran, Olaf entered the U.S. Army Airborne as a light weapons infantryman shortly after high school in 1955. From there, he completed airborne training at Fort Campbell, KY, where he earned his Parachutist and Carbine Marksman badges. Olaf was a member of the 187th Airborne Regiment, 11th Airborne Division. He ultimately achieved Jump Master status and received an honorable discharge as a Specialist 4 in 1958. Olaf's overseas military postings included Augsburg, Germany and a deployment to Lebanon to support Operation Blue Bat during the 1958 Lebanon crisis. Olaf was also a long-time member of the Coldwater, Ohio post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, where his service was held in high regard. Olaf's most notable achievement while in the military was meeting and marrying his Danish wife, Jytte. They married in Copenhagen, Denmark, approximately seven months prior to his discharge.

Olaf was known for his patience, loyalty, and strong work ethic. A sweet-natured individual, he was beloved by those who knew him. He was known for his dry humor and often recounted his dislike for the movie Frozen due to its snowman character sharing his name. Olaf’s hobbies included watching college and professional football, golfing with his sons, fishing, and playing bingo. He was also a skilled card player, particularly in poker, euchre, and pinochle.

Olaf's final resting place will be at Arlington National Cemetery, where his urn will be placed with military honors in ANC's Columbarium Court 9 alongside his treasured wife. His legacy of love, hard work, and dedication will live on through all those who had the honor of knowing him.