Kessler "Kay" Olson

Kessler R. "Kay" Olson, 65 of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Thursday, November 27, 2008 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, IA. Visitation will be on Monday, December 1, 2008, beginning after 12 noon, at the Olson - Powell Memorial Chapel, where the family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. that evening. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, December 2, 2008, at the Olson - Powell Memorial Chapel with Pastor Jeff Crawford officiating. A military flag presentation will be accorded at the service by the Henry County Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers memorials have been established to Great River Hospice and the local chapter of T.A.T.U. (Teens Against Tobacco Use). Born May 21, 1943, in Monmouth, IL, Kessler Ross "Kay" was the son of Frank L. and Penca "Betty" Ross. He grew up in Gladstone, IL and was a 1962 Union High School graduate. Kay was in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War serving on the U.S.S. Pine Island. On October 15, 1967, Kay married Marsha Sue Rodgers at the United Church of Christ in Olds, IA. She survives. Kay moved to Mt. Pleasant in 1967. He was a wirer for General Electric for 26 years, retiring in 1994. Kay was a Cubs fan and since his retirement spent time on the computer. He enjoyed listening to his MP3 player and gathering coins. Along with his wife, Marsha, Kay is survived by five sons, Chris Olson, Jason Olson, Patrick Olson, and Scott Olson, all of Mt. Pleasant, IA and Travis (Angela) Olson of Chaska, MN; one daughter, Sandra (David) Vogeler of Mt. Pleasant, IA; and three brothers, Conrad (Karen) Olson, Philip (Cheryl) Olson, and Steve (Barb) Olson, all of Burlington, IA. He is also survived by six grandchildren. Kay was preceded in death by his parents.