Robert Fay Olhausen, the second of four sons of Everett and Mona (Gillespie) Olhausen was born in Hartley, Iowa on March 12, 1935. Bob was raised in the Sutherland, Iowa area and lived in that community his entire life except for the four years his family lived in California when he was a child. Bob attended country school and graduated from Sutherland High School with the class of 1953.
From the time he was in 8th grade, Bob worked at his father's service station in Sutherland. He enlisted in the US Army in 1955. Following his honorable discharge in 1957, he returned to work at the service station. On December 9, 1960, Bob married Ardine Meyer of Calumet in a small ceremony in Worthington, MN. They became the parents of three children, Cindy, Nancy and Denny. Bob went on to hold a variety of jobs, including working for Farquhar Motors, Peterson Motors, the Iowa Highway Commission and the Felco/Land O' Lakes Co-op. In 1977, Bob and Ardine started their own business, Bob's Tire Service. He enjoyed being his own boss and continued to fix tires until he was 74 years old, retiring only because of ill health. He had many loyal customers in the Sutherland and surrounding communities and always strived to give them the best in customer service.
Bob was baptized as a young man at the Sutherland Church of Christ and attended that church his entire life. He was proud of his country and proud to be a veteran.
As their children were growing up, Bob and Ardine enjoyed taking yearly family fishing vacations in Minnesota. Bob also enjoyed hunting, visiting with the regular "coffee drinkers" in his shop, selling night crawlers, watching FOX News and taking care of his dogs. He always planted several large gardens. He was a devoted husband and a generous and caring father and grandfather. His grandchildren have many precious memories of the times they spent with Grandpa.
Bob was probably best known by all as a great fisherman. Fishing was one of his lifelong passions and he passed away on May 18, 2010 at the age of 75 while fishing on the banks of the Little Sioux River.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Ardine Olhausen; three children and their spouses, Cynthia and John Barnes of Sutherland, IA; Nancy and Randy Plagman of Sheldon, IA and Dennis and LeAnn Olhausen of Early, IA; seven grandchildren, Elizabeth (John) Spray, Megan (Chad Berger) Barnes, Kelsey Plagman, Shaylee Olhausen, Colton Barnes, Morgan Olhausen and Levi Olhausen; a great-grandson, Joshua Spray and another great-grandchild due in the fall; three brothers, Keith (Norma) Olhausen of Cherokee, IA; Jim (Monique) Olhausen of Willmar, MN; and Lyle (Linda) Olhausen of Spirit Lake, IA; one sister-in-law, Joyce Schmith of Paullina, IA; nieces, nephews and many, many friends.
SERVICES
Funeral services will be held 1:30 P.M., Friday, May 21, 2010 at the Church of Christ in Sutherland.
OFFICIATING
Pastor John Erickson
CASKET BEARERS
Lynn Horstmann
Dennis Dickmeyer
Doug Conard
Tom Triplett
Norman Swanson
Craig Struve
HONORARY BEARERS:
Colton Barnes
Levi Olhausen
John Spray
Chad Berger
VISITATION
Visitation will begin after 2:00 P.M., Thursday, May 20, with the family present from 6 to 8:00P.M., Thursday evening at the Church of Christ in Sutherland.
MUSIC
"How Great Thou Art"
"It Is Well With My Soul"
By Don Gordon
ORGANIST: Shirley Lenhart
INTERMENT
Waterman Cemetery
Sutherland, Iowa
There will be a lunch and time of fellowship immediately following the services at the church. Burial will be held privately at a later date.