Karl M. Olsen

Karl M. Olsen, 74, of Clarion was called home by the Lord on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at The Caring House in rural Rockford, IA.

Public visitation for Karl Olsen will be held Saturday, May 6, 2023, from 9:00-10:30 AM, at the First United Methodist Church in Clarion, IA with public funeral services to follow at 10:30 AM. Pastor Lewis Flanagan will be officiating.  Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery-Clarion.

Karl Matthew Olsen was born July 13, 1948, in Hampton, Iowa to Harold Samuel Olsen and Ina Faye Schmidt.  He was raised in Belmond, Iowa where he attended the Belmond Community school system and graduated in 1967.

On March 7, 1970, Karl married Marilyn M. Olsen and they were married for 52+ years.  They made their home in Clarion, Iowa where they raised their two sons.

Upon graduation, Karl attended NIACC in Mason City where he studied auto mechanics for 18 months.  After this he started work at Hagie Manufacturing where he was a machinist.  This was followed by work at Eaton Manufacturing for a few years in the early 1980’s before he eventually became a long-haul truck driver in 1985.  He did this until his eventual retirement.

Karl never met a person that he could not engage in conversation.  Whether discussing the sporting events of the day or telling stories of his brothers and his misadventures, he always seemed to provide a “lesson learned” moment from his youth.  One of his greatest passions in life was working on automobiles with his brother Steve. They used to be well known in the Belmond community and many times their father Harold would deliver a message from someone in town questioning their comprehension of the respected speed limit.

Karl is survived by his children Brent & Lisa Olsen of Waukee, IA; Chad & Deana Olsen of Conroe, TX; grandchildren Lexi, Lincoln, Landry, Lawson, Ethan, Jase, Christian and Evelyn; and brother Steve Olsen of Belmond, IA, and other numerous family members and friends.

Karl was preceded in death by his wife Marilyn, parents Harold and Ina Olsen, and brother Stan Olsen.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the American Cancer Society in memory of Karl and in honor of his late wife Marilyn.

Andrews Funeral Homes, Belmond, IA is handling funeral arrangements.  A live-stream of the funeral service will be available on the Andrews Funeral Homes Facebook page at 10:30 AM, Saturday. Just LIKE the page to view. http://www.andrewsfuneralhomeandfloral.com