Obituary of Norman E. Olsen

Norman E. Olsen, age 90, of Coralville, formerly of Latimer and Nevada, passed away on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at his home.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at Gay and Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service.

Born on July 6, 1935, in rural Bryantsburg, Iowa, Norman was the son of Jens and Grace (Follmer) Olsen.  He graduated from Fayette High School in 1953.  Norman served in the U.S. Navy from 1954 until 1958.

Norman was united in marriage to the love of his life, Roberta Kalm, on August 10, 1956, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Bremerton, Washington.  The couple had known each other for their entire lives, even attending the same picnics every summer growing up as children. 

After his military service, Norman attended Upper Iowa University where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in History.  He worked as a hospital administrator before attending Morningside College where he earned his Master’s Degree Education.  He then worked as a nursing home inspector, then sold education materials for McGraw-Hill.  Norman moved to Nevada, Iowa in 1978, where he sold insurance and was a Real Estate Broker until he began working for the Iowa Department of Transportation as a right-of-way broker.  He retired from the DOT in 2000.

Norman was an avid reader, and later in life he enjoyed books on tape.  He liked to listen to polka music.  During his retirement, he took up bicycling, joining a bike club in Clear Lake and riding part of RAGBRAI.  He enjoyed woodworking and in the summertime he “did most of the work in Roberta’s garden.”

Norman and Roberta's retirement years were spent in Latimer, Iowa where they thoroughly enjoyed quiet small town life. They moved to Coralville, Iowa 8 years ago to be near their daughter who supported them in their later years. 

His family includes his son, Mathew (Luann) Olsen; daughter, Alice Olsen; grandchildren: Peter Olsen and Tom (Kell) Olsen; great-grandchildren: Eloise Olsen, Clyde Olsen, and Sylvia Olsen; and a sister, Marie Eisenman.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Roberta; children: Glee Olsen Oliver and David Olsen; a brother, Donald Olsen; and a sister, Dorthea Odekirk.

Any memorials received will be donated to the Shelter House in Iowa City who help the homeless.