Obituary of Gene L. Olson

Gene Olson, 88, longtime resident of Upper Moreland passed away peacefully on August 23rd. He was the beloved husband of Sue Olson for over 56 years. Gene was born in Grand Island Nebraska in 1932 to the late Grant and Mildred (Millie) Olson. As a boy Gene was very involved with the Boy Scouts of America where he earned Eagle Scout in 1948. He graduated from Grand Island High School in 1950. He then attended Hastings Community College in Nebraska, and then Iowa State University where we earned a bachelor’s degree in Science and Chemical Technology in 1955. Gene was drafted into the army where he honorably served for two years primarily in Germany. After service, Gene worked as an engineer in the missile and space division of General Electric in Philadelphia until 1981. It was while working at GE that he met his future wife Sue. In 1981 he switched careers and became a stockbroker and financial planner for A.G. Edwards which later became Well Fargo Advisors. He retired from Wells Fargo in 2010. Gene also served on the Police Pension board of Upper Moreland Township for over 20 years. Gene was best known for his sharp intelligence and deep interest in many subjects. He loved cars (which he could both repair and race), golf (which he played regularly well into his 80’s), Nebraska football (Go Big Red!), Viking history, technical stock market analysis, and much more. Throughout the course of his life, Gene was also a non-stop builder. As a boy, he built hundreds of model cars, airplanes and even a working “fan” boat which he sailed on a lake in Nebraska. Later in life he built multiple sheds and playhouses for his children, electronics (including a working remote controlled color TV), a greenhouse, a solar heater made of cat food cans (long story) and too many other small projects to mention. Gene personally designed and drafted the blueprints for his house in Hatboro where he raised his family for over 45 years. He was also a serial entrepreneur which led him to establish small businesses in printing, arthritis cream, granola and more. Needless to say, cleaning out his basement was quite interesting! He was also an avid gardener and card player. In 2019 he moved into his final home at Brandywine living in Upper Providence where he quickly established himself as a founding member of the “Jokers” men’s dinner table and was a regular at Happy hr. and trivia contests. He quickly made many friendships and even received an award for “Most Charming” at Brandywine. Gene is survived by his daughter Lori Laufer (husband Joseph, children- Natasha, Nicholas and Katie) his son John (wife Kristine, children - Grant and Leah), as well as his sisters-in- law Della Messina and Rose Messina, nieces, nephews and their families. He was predeceased by his wife Sue in 2018. Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing and funeral on Saturday August 28th at Louis Swift Plunkett Funeral home in Hatboro, PA. There will be a calling hour from 9:30 to 10:30 AM followed by a prayer service at 10:30 AM. Interment St. John Neumann Cemetery, Chalfont. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the St Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Memorial Giving 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 https://www.stjude.org/give/memorials-and-dedications.html