Mary Ellen Olsen

Mary Ellen (Dasher) Olsen was born December 4, 1925, on the family farm near Elliott, Iowa. Ellen, as called by her family was the first of seven children born to Otis Merlin and Grace Darlene (Shaw) Dasher. She was welcomed home by her Lord at the age of 92 on Thursday, January 4, 2018, at the Heritage House in Atlantic.

As a youth, Mary Ellen was active in 4-H for many years and had fond memories of showing her dad’s Angus throughout the Midwestern states, as well as speaking at the dedication of the AK-SAR-BEN 4-H administration and dormitory buildings. She remained active in 4-H for years; later as a local 4-H leader. Mary Ellen graduated from Atlantic High School in 1943. Following high school she received her formal training teaching certificate, and taught for a short time at Washington No.2. She worked for J. C. Penney’s and as a switchboard operator at the Atlantic telephone office in the early years after graduation.

On September 21, 1952, Mary Ellen married Glenn Olsen at the Methodist Church in Elliott, and they lived northeast of Atlantic where they farmed and raised their two children. Mary Ellen was a member of the Clover Leaf Club in Benton Township, Cowpokes, Farm Bureau, and of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Glenn and Mary Ellen enjoyed years of playing pinochle with friends and trips throughout the world. They moved from the farm into Atlantic in 2001, and into Heritage House in 2015.

She is preceded in death by her parents; infant grandson, Jarod Olsen; brothers, Calvin and Marc Dasher; sisters, Julianne Weber and Nancy McNeese; parents-in-law, John B. and Anna Olsen; brothers-in-law, G. Wayne Olsen and Paul Williamson; sisters-in-law, Barbara Dasher and Phyllis Olsen; and niece-in-law, Laura Olsen

Mary Ellen is survived by her husband of 65 years, Glenn; son, Rick Olsen of Council Bluffs; daughter, Jean (Dave) Hansen of Atlantic; seven grandchildren, Whitney (Kristina) Olsen of Mt. Vernon, Shyler (Tara) Olsen of Cedar Rapids, Sarah Olsen of Red Oak, Lyndsey (Justin) Shaw of Atlantic, Joel (Stacie) Hansen of Marne, Jayden Hansen of Atlantic and Jarrett Hansen of Atlantic; great-grandchildren, Reece Olsen, Tryston Locke, Christopher and Kairi Olsen, Cheyenne Shaw, Matthew and Paisley Hansen and Jacob Rattenborg; sister, Jane Cook of Westport, Washington; brother, Dennis Dasher of Corning; brothers-in-law, Dr. Dale Weber of Comanche, Randy McNeese of Lewis and Charles (Jane) Olsen of Leawood, Kansas; sisters-in-law, Nadine Williamson of Wiota and Mary Nichols-Olsen of Marshalltown; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 a.m., Sunday, January 7, 2018, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Atlantic, with Pastor Grant Van Lishout officiating. Burial will be in the Atlantic Cemetery.

Mary Ellen’s family thanks everyone for support and kindness in words, prayers, and cards. They invite you to join them immediately following the service for food and fellowship.

The family suggests memorials be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or the Cass County 4-H Foundation.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Mary Ellen’s family and her arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com

IN REMEMBRANCE

Mary Ellen Olsen

BORN
December 4, 1925 - rural Elliott, Iowa

DIED
January 4, 2018 - Atlantic, Iowa
At the age of 92 years and 1 month

FUNERAL SERVICE
1:30 p.m., Sunday, January 7, 2018
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church - Atlantic, Iowa

OFFICIANT
Pastor Grant Van Lishout

ORGANIST
Eileen Denne

MUSICAL SELECTIONS
“What A Friend We Have in Jesus” by the Congregation
“Softly and Tenderly” by the Congregation
“He Took Her Home” recorded by Jacob Colgan and Fred Stobaugh
“When We All Get to Heaven” by the Congregation

CASKET BEARERS
Whitney Olsen
Shyler Olsen
Justin Shaw
Joel Hansen
Jayden Hansen
Jarrett Hansen

INTERMENT
Atlantic Cemetery - Atlantic, Iowa


Mary Ellen’s family thanks everyone for their support and kindness
in words, prayers and cards. They invite you to lunch in the
fellowship hall immediately following the service.

The family suggests memorials be made to
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or the Cass County 4-H Foundation.