Edwin Warren Olson, 91, of Russell, Kansas, died on Saturday, September 29, 2012, at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Lawrence, Kansas and was currently living at the Neuvant House in Lawrence.

Edwin was born on March 2, 1921 in Russell County, the son of A.V. and Myrtle (Brandt) Olson.  He grew up in Russell County and graduated from Russell High School in 1938.  After high school he graduated from Salt City Business College in Hutchinson, Kansas.  After graduating from Business College he went to work as a bank employee at the Russell State Bank in 1939.  He dated and fell in love with Esther Louise Rein before World War II.  In 1942, wanting to serve his country, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served as a Pharmacist’s Mate.  Towards the end of the war he was involved in the U.S. and allied troops D-Day invasion of Normandy, and participated in the fighting on Utah Beach on June 6, 1944.  While on leave from the war, he and Esther were united in marriage on August 10, 1944 in Hays, Kansas.  From this union Ed and Esther were blessed with three children Stephen, Carolyn and John.  After the war he returned to the Russell State Bank to continue his banking career.  Esther preceded him in death on November 12, 1996.  In 1983 he retired from the bank and began his post-retirement work as a farm appraiser.  He did that from his office downtown for a number of years.  After Esther’s passing, Ed was fortunate enough to find love again and was united in marriage to Eileen Culley on October 24, 1998, in Russell.  She also preceded him in death on November 23, 2007.  Ed was a longtime member of the Trinity United Methodist Church, serving on its board of trustees.  He served as president of the Russell Rotary Club, Russell Chamber of Commerce, and master of Russell Lodge 177, A.F. and A.M., Order of the Eastern Star and Russell Shrine Club.  He served as secretary-treasurer of Russell Royalties, treasurer of Russell board of education and general chairman of the dedication of Lake Wilson. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing and during his retirement he enjoyed planting and cultivating black walnut trees along the Paradise Creek.  Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his children and grandchildren.

Surviving family include son Stephen C. Olson and wife Audrey of Denver, Colorado, daughter Carolyn Little and husband Robert of Topeka, Kansas and son John D. Olson and wife Tina of Sulphur, Louisiana; sisters Mildred Gray of Englewood, Colorado and Marie Louder of Colorado Springs, Colorado; 5 grandchildren Jeremy Olson, Sarah Porter, Jennifer Armstrong, Shanann Little and Sheryl Rippel; great grandchildren Marissa Porter, Blake Hall and Brynn Hall.

He was also preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Verlan and Dean Olson and sister Ruth Ellen Patton.

A celebration of Edwin’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, October 4, 2012, at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Russell with Pastor John Thompson officiating.  Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. Wednesday, October 3, 2012, at the mortuary with the family present to greet guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Wednesday evening.  Memorials may be given to the Trinity United Methodist Church or Russell County Food Pantry and sent in care of the mortuary.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.