George Edward Olauson

George Edward Olauson, 92, passed away on February 22, 2025 in Altoona. He was born August 6, 1932 in Grinnell, Iowa to Walter and Clara Olauson. George lived in Kellogg, Iowa until 1944 when his family moved to Des Moines. He attended Des Moines schools and graduated from East High School in 1951. George served in the US Army from 1952-1955 and spent time in France. After returning, George attended Simpson College and worked for Meredith Publishing. Through a friend, George met Mary Lou Fritch and were married in June of 1958. George graduated from Simpson College in 1959 and worked for John Hancock Insurance Company, the State of Iowa, and in 1967 joined Herman M. Brown Company as the Controller through the remainder of his career, retiring in 1997.

George and Mary Lou have two children, Doug and Lisa. George was involved with his children’s activities and especially loved the family activity of boating. Later, spending time with grandchildren was always special.

Always a lover of cars, in retirement George worked two days a week for Des Moines Auto Auction. But most enjoyable was time spent with Mary Lou where together they became passionate about ballroom dancing and Lake Robbins Ballroom. They also went on over 30 cruises, several with their favorite dance bands. Cruising to many places throughout the world, George’s most favorite was to the Baltic Sea and seeing Finland, Norway, and especially Sweden. Later, George and Mary Lou volunteered together at Iowa Lutheran Hospital and Taylor Hospice House. They continued living in Des Moines until 2016 when they moved to Prairie Vista Village in Altoona.

George is survived by his wife of 66 years Mary Lou; son Doug Olauson of Lake Ozark, Missouri; daughter Lisa (Scott) Fiene of Ankeny, Iowa; grandchildren Alex Olauson, Louis Olauson, Madison (Alex) Ojeda, Miranda Fiene and Madelyn Fiene; sister Norma Kappelman of Auburn, Alabama; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

George is preceded in death by parents Walter and Clara Olauson, sister Marjorie Olauson, brother in-law Albert Kappelman, parent’s in-law Charles and Ruth Fritch.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to Unity Point Taylor Hospice House and Christ the King Lutheran Church in Altoona.

Visitation will be held Thursday, February 27, 2025 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., at Hamilton’s Altoona Funeral Home, 105 4th Street SW, Altoona, Iowa. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, February 28, 2025 at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Altoona with burial with military honors immediately following at Highland Memory Gardens in Des Moines.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com

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