John Royd Olson, 75, of Yorktown Indiana, formerly of Hoxie, KS, passed
away peacefully on Thursday, August 18, 2022, surrounded by his loving
family.
He was born in Chicago, Illinois to the late Lorin and Ruby (Alvig)
Olson. John attended Lane Technical High School in Chicago, Illinois
(School of Champions), Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois
(Bachelor of Arts in Math) and the University of Kansas (Master of Arts
in Teaching Mathematics). While teaching on an emergency certificate in
Northwest Iowa he met the love of his life Brenda (Diischer); they
married on May 7th, 1971.
John dedicated his life to education, he loved and cared for his
students and enjoyed the company of his fellow educators. He taught at
Hoxie High School in Hoxie, Kansas for 30 years. While teaching at Hoxie
High he spent all 30 years as the student council advisor. Following
his tenure at Hoxie High, John taught upper-level math at Colby
Community College for 17 years in Colby, Kansas. Additionally, he served
as the college sponsor of Phi Delta Phi Honor Society. He was a member
of Phi Delta Kappa, a national fraternity of educators.
He was dedicated to his family; he looked forward to spring break
and summer holidays traveling with the kids and grandkids. His family
always included his “pups,” his heart had endless love for all of them.
In his spare time, John could be found in the basement woodworking
or doing improvements around the house. He enjoyed decorating the house
for Halloween and Christmas. He loved to travel, attend theater,
museums, and amusement parks with his family. All of these improvements,
decorations or family members often were the subject of his
photographic endeavors. There wasn’t a chair that he couldn’t rest his
eyes in.
He is survived by his wife Brenda, sons Peter (Amy), Matthew
(Carlie), Daughter-in-law Barbara Lewis (Jared), and grandchildren
Hunter, Connor, Rylee, Bentley, and Liam. Also, his current pups, Cooper
and Zoey.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Peter Lind.
“Math is fun and who can doubt it, if we have no doubt about it.” John Olson
A Memorial Service will be held in Hoxie, Kansas, at Mickey Leopold
Funeral Home on Monday August 29th, at 10:30 AM. Lunch at the Hoxie
United Methodist Church will follow for family and friends. The family
will remain at the church until 3:00 PM for anyone who would like to
visit.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials for the
McCook Nebraska Humane Society or Dr. Max Pickerill Scholarship at Colby
Community College. Please make checks out directly to McCook Humane
Society or Colby Community College Endowment Fund.
Memorials may be sent in care of Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas 67740. Words of comfort may be left at mickeyleopoldfuneral.com