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Russell Blaine Olson was born on July 4, 1923 in Hematite a son to George and Maude (nee McKee) Olson. He died at his De Soto home on August 29, 2017 at the age of 94. He is survived by his wife Betty J. (nee Eggleston) Olson. Blaine and Betty were married in De Soto on August 10, 1946.
Also surviving are two children: Gary (Barbara “Cricket”) Olson, Hillsboro and Diane (Rev. Trent) Freed, Bedford, IN; four grandchildren: Andrea (James) Siegfried, Russell (Emily) Olson, Justin Freed, and Jared Freed; two great-grandchildren: Patrick and Lydia Siegfried; and one sister: Geraldine Dial, Plymouth, MI. He is preceded in death by his parents; one brother Carl Olson and his wife June; and one brother-in-law: Robert Dial.
A 1940 graduate of De Soto High School Blaine and his brother Carl owned and operated Olson’s Hatchery. He later worked for Tri-City Hardware and Berry Auto Parts. Blaine was very active in the De Soto Community, serving as chairperson for the De Soto Caroling Association; secretary/treasurer for P.R.I.D.E., the De Soto Park Board, the De Soto Food Pantry, and as a volunteer for the De Soto Public Library. In 1994 Blaine received the De Soto Chamber of Commerce 100% award. Blaine was also very involved in the activities of his church, First Church of God, De Soto, now known as De Soto Community Church of God. Blaine also transferred old handwritten records of many local cemeteries to a digital format. As an expression of sympathy memorial donations may be made to: De Soto Community Church of God, 300 West Mineral, De Soto, MO 63020. Revs. Gene Moses, Ron Kulp, and Trent Freed will officiate the funeral service.