David (Dave) Alden Olson

David (Dave) Alden Olson

Feb. 7, 1952 - Oct. 6, 2023

KEARNEY, Neb. - David (Dave) Alden Olson of Kearney, Neb., passed away on Fri., Oct. 6, 2023 at Madonna Rehab Hospital, Omaha, Neb.

Dave was born Feb. 7, 1952 to Alden (Hank) and Macalene (Mac) (Barnhart) Olson in Atwood, Kan. He graduated in 1970 from McDonald High School in McDonald, Kan.. In May of 1974, Dave graduated from the University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kan. in Elementary Education. Beginning with the 1974-75 school year, Dave was employed by the U.S.D. 294 of Oberlin, Kan. as an elementary educator, primarily in fifth grade. Dave retired from full time teaching then began driving a school bus route and substituting in Oberlin Elementary School.

Dave met Martha (Marty) Schroer at KU. They were married in Manhattan, Kan. on June 7, 1975. They raised two children in Oberlin, Jonathon (Jon) Olson of Joliet, Ill. and Jennifer Olson Murrish of Kearney, Neb. Marty and Dave moved to Kearney, Neb. in 2021 to be closer to Dave’s pulmonologist and in August of 2022 he qualified for placement in the lung transplant program of the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Dave received a new right lung on Feb. 14, 2023. We are in awe of the care and encouragement from all of the medical team and caregivers. We strongly encourage everyone to choose to be organ donors.

Dave was pre-deceased by his parents, Hank and Mac Olson, his father- and mother-in-law, Jim and Grace Schroer of Manhattan, Kan., brother Randy Olson, brothers-in-law Jim Schroer, Fred Schroer, Corky Sliter, and Ken Newman.

He is survived by his wife, Marty, of the home; his son, Jon and Cindy Olson and children Nathan, Patrick, and Amy; and his daughter Jennifer Murrish and her daughter Ellie; his brothers, Kent Olson and Karen of Silver Lake, Kan., Rick Olson of Atwood, Kan., and Greg Olson and Sandee of Oberlin, Kan.; his sisters-in-law Mary White and Mark White of Kingsley, Mich., Grace Schroer and Jim Schultze of Baldwin City, Kan., Beth Newman of Raton, NM, Laura Schroer of Alliance, Neb., and Therese Schroer and Sandy Barnett of Spring Hill, Fla., as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Cremation was chosen. A Memorial Service will be held in the late Spring. Memorials may be sent in Dave’s name to the Decatur County Last Indian Raid Museum of Oberlin, Kan. or to the Oberlin City Library of Oberlin, Kan.. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Services are entrusted to O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services.