Harold Olson Jr.

Family and friends are mourning the passing of Harold Olson, Jr. of Manilla, Iowa, at the age of 83 years and 20 days. Harold Jr. was the only son of Harold Sr. and Beverly (Christensen) Olson. He was born in Manilla on August 3, 1943, and died on August 23, 2026, at the home of Lynn and Karen Olson, surrounded by many members of his family.

Harold. Jr.—or Harry—as many of his friends and relatives called him attended school at Manilla for 13 years and graduated from MHS in1961. He was an active participant in sports and music as a Manilla Hawk.

In May of 1961, Harold Jr. was married to Judy Laurinat of Manning. Harry and Judy made their home in Manilla where they became parents of two children—Rhonda and Lynn. Harold, Jr. worked with and later partnered with his father Harold at Olson Produce. The produce was a successful business fixture on Manilla’s Main Street for more than four decades. After the passing of the elder Harold, Harry and his son Lynn ran the store for many more years. Harold, Jr. also owned an acreage at the edge of town where he raised and sold feeder pigs. After selling the business and retiring, he later moved to Denison to join special friend Linda Schnuettgen at her home. Harold and Linda also spent several winters in Sebastian, Florida.

Harry was an enthusiastic bird hunter and fisherman. He and his son and friends hunted most of the fields and creek beds in Crawford County for years and hooked fish wherever they could find them. He and Judy, and later other members of his family, spent many days at a trailer on the shores of Spirit Lake in northern Iowa.

Harold, Jr. was preceded in death by his wife, Judy in 2005; parents, Harold and Beverly Olson. He is survived by his daughter, Rhonda (Scott) Thorell of Manning; son, Lynn (Karen) of Manilla; granddaughters: Laura Olson, Jessica Warneke (Brandon Harrison), Katelyn (T.J.) Hodne, Jackie (Steven) Blackwell; six great grandchildren; sister, Sharon (Charles) Sass of Urbandale; fiancée, Linda Schnuettgen of Denison and her children; and many other family members and friends.

His graveside service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, August 28, 2026, in the Nishnabotna Cemetery near Manilla. His Celebration of Life will follow from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, August 28, 2026, at the Memorial Hall in Manilla. The family will direct memorials.