3 newspaper articles

RANDY “RHUBARB” OLSON, 53

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Randall C. Olson, 53, of Tekamah, died Sunday, Sep. 2, at Onawa, Iowa.

Funeral services were Thursday, Sept. 6, at the First Presbyterian Church in Tekamah. The officiant was Pastor Dale Donnelly and the organist was Leanne Dorathy. Special music was “Remember Me,” “Never Alone,” and “Amazing Grace.” Vocalists were his sister, Diane Sheets, and his nephew and wife, Clay and Becky Sheets. Interment was in the Tekamah Cemetery.

Randall Chase “Rhubarb” Olson was born Aug. 3, 1954, at Oakland to Carroll D. and Mary Alice (Chase) Olson. He attended elementary school in Tekamah and Blair and graduated with the Tekamah – Herman Class of 1973.

In high school, he excelled in athletics. His No. “13” football jersey was well-known to his opponents and coaches on the football field; as a senior, he was awarded a four-year athletic scholarship to Midland Lutheran College, and was also offered scholarships from Wayne State and the University of Nebraska. He was the 1972 – 1973 Homecoming King, and also excelled in baseball and basketball.

His musical career also began in high school, where he was a member of the Swing Choir, Mixed Octette, Boys Octette, Concert Choir, Boys Glee and Mixed Chorus, and performed in several school musicals. This all led to singing at his own wedding and his daughter’s wedding and, in later years, becoming well-known as a “karaoke king.”

On June 18, 1976, he married Kathy Scott from Stanton. The couple made their home on a farm east of Tekamah where he farmed with his father.

For many years, he was a member of the Tekamah Jaycees and the Tekamah Fire Department. Through his fire department friends, he acquired his nickname.

He loved and continued to farm through 1995, when he opened “Rhubarb’s Mini Mart in Tekamah. He became active in the community, and was selected president of the Tekamah Chamber of Commerce in 1997. Later that year, he sold the mini-mart and became the new owner of the Cottonwood Marina in Blair.

He enjoyed hunting and never missed an opportunity to hunt with his friends. He also enjoyed the open road on his Harley, and had traveled to Sturgis, S. D., on many occasions.

In 2001, he became the grandfather of twin boys, and in 2003, another grandson was added to the family. The three boys were his greatest love; he enjoyed spending as much time with them as possible.

Family members will always remember Rhubarb as a big man with a big smile and a kind heart, ready and willing to help anyone with anything at any time, and always ending his goodbyes with a big hug.

He is survived by his daughter, Jamie Smith, and her three sons, all of Blair; mother, Mary Alice Connealy of Grapevine, Texas; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Diane and Greg Sheets of Tekamah, Sandy and Paul Haack of Blair, and Joanie and Jim Ellingsen of Fort Worth, Texas; grandmothers, Myrtle Olson of Tekamah and Mary Chase of Decatur; many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Carroll Olson, and his fiancée, Connie Wimer.

Casket bearers were Kent Petersen, Ted Connealy, Larry Elliott, Jim Tobin Jr., Greg Anderson, Steve Devening, Jeff Pruess, and Don Louden.

Honorary casket bearers were Fred Bacon, Don Neary, Steve Lupardus, Russell Wimer, Vince Bruce, Jim Devening, Brad Nelson, Bill “Willy” Kermoade, Scott Nun, David Scott, Russell Grass and Pat Tobin.

Pelan Funeral Services in Tekamah was in charge of arrangements.

# 2 - Omaha World-Herald, September 4, 2007

OLSON - - Randy “Rhubarb” , 53, of Blair, formerly of Tekamah. Survived by daughter Jamie Smith; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Diane and Greg Sheets, Tekamah; Sandy and Paul Haack, Blair; Joanna and Jim Ellingson, Ft. Worth, TX; mother, Mary Alice Connealy, Ft. Worth, TX.

Services will be Thursday, 10:30 a.m. from the First Presbyterian Church in Tekamah. Visitation Wednesday 1 – 8 pm. with family receiving friends from 5 – 8 pm at the Funeral Home and one hour before service at the church. Burial at Tekamah Cemetery.

PELAN FUNERAL SERVICES, Tekamah, NE 402-374-1551

# 3 - - Wolrd-Herald, September 9, 2007

OLSON - - Randy “Rhubarb” Chase Olson.

“Rhubarb” was born 8/3/54, at Oakland to Carroll D. and Mary Alice (Chase) Olson, and passed away Sun., 9/2/07, at Blue Lake near Onawa, IA, at the age of 53 years. Randy attended elementary school in Tekamah and Blair. He graduated with the class of 1973 from Tekamah – Herman High School, Tekamah. Randy excelled in high school athletics. Superstition has always labeled the number 13 an unlucky number. Randy figured differently, and his # 13 uniform was well-known to many of his opponents and coaches on the football field. As a senior, he was awarded a four-year athletic scholarship to Midland Lutheran College. Wayne State College and University of Nebraska also offered scholarships. Olson’s tiger classmates ignored the # 13 superstition also, and named him 1972-73 Homecoming King. His athletic abilities didn’t end with football; he was very gifted in baseball and basketball. His musical career also began in high school. He was a member of the Swing Choir, Mixed Octette, Boys Octette, Concert Choir, Boys Glee and the Mixed Chorus, and he performed in several school musicals. This all led to singing at his own wedding as well as his daughter’s wedding, and, in his later years, becoming one of the best known “Karaoke Kings.” On 6/18/76, he married Kathy Scott from Stanton, NE. They made their home on a farm east of Tekamah, where he continued to farm with his dad. Randy and Kathy had one daughter, Jamie. For many years Randy was a member of the Tekamah Jaycees and Tekamah Fire Department. He acquired the name “Rhubarb” from his fire department friends. He loved and continued farming until 1995, at which time he opened “Rhubarb’s Mini Mart” in Tekamah and became very active in the community. In 1997 he was elected president of the Tekamah Chamber of Commerce. Later that year he sold the mini mart and became the new owner of The Cottonwood Marina in Blair. One of his favorite pastimes was hunting. Randy was lucky enough to live in an area where deer, pheasants and ducks were always in abundance. He never missed an opportunity to enjoy the hunting season with his friends. He also enjoyed the open road on his Harley and traveled to Sturgis on many occasions. In 2003 he became a proud grandfather of twin boys, Isaac and Jacob Smith. In 2003 his daughter Jamie had another little boy, Ethan. These 3 grandsons became his greatest love. He enjoyed spending as much time with them as possible and was so pleased to have the bragging rights that every grandfather has. Family members and friends will always remember Rhubarb as a big man with a big smile and a kind heart, ready and willing to help anyone with anything at any time, and always ending his goodbyes with a big hug.

He was preceded in death by his fiancée, Connie Wimer; and his father, Carroll Olson. Grateful for having shared his life are his daughter and grandsons, Jamie Smith, Isaac, Jacob, and Ethan, Blair; his mother, Mary Alice Connealy, Grapevine, TX; 3 sisters and brothers-in-law, Diane and Greg Sheets, Tekamah; Sandy and Paul Haack, Blair; and Joanie and Jim Ellingson, Ft. Worth, TX; grandmothers, Myrtle Olson, Tekamah, and Mary Chase, Decatur, NE; a wealth of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation was Wed. from 1 – 8 PM with the family receiving friends from 5 – 8 PM at Pelan Funeral Home, Tekamah. Visitation was also held at the Church 1 hour prior to the Funeral Service which was Thurs., 9/6/07, 10:30 AM, First Presbyterian Church, Tekamah. Officiant was Pastor Dale Donnelly and organist was Leanne Dorathy. Special music was “Remember Me,” “Never Alone,” and “Amazing Grace.” Vocalists were his sister, Diane Sheets, and his nephew and wife, Clay and Becky Sheets. Casket bearers were Kent Petersen, Ted Connealy, Larry Elliott, Jim Tobin Jr., Greg Anderson, Steve Devening, Jeff Pruess and Don Louden. Honorary casket bearers were Fred Bacon, Don Neary, Steve Lupardus, Russell Wimer, Vince Bruce, Jim Devening, Brad Nelson, Bill “Willy” Kermoade, Scott Nun, David Scott, Russell Grass and Pat Tobin. Burial was at Tekamah Cemetery, Tekamah. Memorials may be directed to the family.