Obituaries : Randy Ray Olson

Randy Ray Olson, age 68, of Washington, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at the University of Iowa Hospital.

Celebration of life services will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 30, 2024, at the Oregon Township Cemetery with Pastor Darryl Carr officiating. The family will be present to receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 29th at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home. Memorials have been established for the Ainsworth Fire Department. Online condolences may be sent for Randy's family at www.jonesfh.com.

Randy was born October 11, 1955, in Vinton, Iowa, the son of Arnold and Doris J. (Walter) Olson. He graduated from Washington High School in Vinton, IA. Randy was united in marriage to Kathy Laton, on February 16, 1974, in Vinton, Iowa.

Randy moved to Washington in 1982, where he worked as a Senior Manufacturing Engineer for Perfex Manufacturing and Modine Manufacturing. In his retirement, Randy worked for the Washington County Ambulance Service as a wheelchair van driver and also picked up parts for Washington Auto Center. Randy was very civic minded and devoted much of his time to benefit local Veterans. He was the Founding President of the Washington American Legion Riders and was a member of the Sons of the American Legion and the Patriot Guard Riders. He served on the Cedar Rapids Fire Department, the Vinton Fire Department and the Washington Fire Department. He was the photographer for the Ainsworth Fire Department. Randy belonged to the Washington County Amateur Radio Club and enjoyed riding motorcycles and fishing.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy Olson of Washington, Iowa; son, Aaron Olson and significant other Sheila Evans of Ainsworth, Iowa; son, Trent Olson and wife Cassie of Ainsworth, Iowa; two grandchildren: Kurtis Olson and Micah Olson; brother, Bruce Wutzke and wife Jeanette of Marion, Iowa; sister-in-law, Sandy Driscol and husband Larry of Vinton, Iowa.

Randy was preceded in death by his mother Doris Peery; sister Barb Kaplan; two brothers, Dwayne and Wayne Wutzke; grandparents, Glen and Blanche Steinmetz; Parents-in-law, Lee and Doris Laton; and brother-in-law, Rick Laton and wife Marsha.