Raymond E. Olson

Raymond E. Olson, 82, of Topeka, passed away, Friday, December 12, 2008.
He was born April 28, 1926 in Beattie, Kansas, the son of Dell V. and Gunhild N. (Polson) Olson. He was a United States Army veteran of WW II and awarded the Purple Heart. He graduated from the University of Kansas with a B.S. in Civil Engineering.
Mr. Olson was employed by the Kansas Department of Transportation for 37 years and was Chief of the Bureau of Rural Urban Development at the time of his retirement in 1987. He was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, the Masonic Lodge of Lawrence, the York Rite Bodies, ARAB Shrine of Topeka, and numerous engineering and veteran organizations. He was involved for many years in the Boy Scouts of America and several organizations for the elderly.
Raymond married Janet Stevens on August 20, 1948 in Axtell, KS. She survives. Other survivors include his son, Darrel Olson (Rina) of Seaford, NY, and a granddaughter, Jacqueline Olson.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Monday, December 15, 2008 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 2021 S.W. 29th, Topeka. Mr. Olson will lie in state after 3 p.m., Sunday at the Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel where the family will receive friends from 7-8 p.m. Cremation will follow the services. Private inurnment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery, Topeka. Memorial contributions may be made to Our Savior's Lutheran Church.