Russell Olson

Russell Paul Olson, Jr., 88, of Marion Center passed peacefully at his home on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Born in Latrobe on December 29, 1937, he was the son of Russell Paul Olson, Sr. and Edith Harr Olson. He grew up in Blairsville and moved to East Mahoning Township in 1951. He graduated from Marion Center High School with the class of 1956. He sang tenor in the mixed chorus and belonged to the Marion Center chapter of the Future Farmers of America. He earned the Keystone Farmer Degree in 1956 and started his dairy cow herd in 1954. In 1959 he received the FFA American Farmer Award in Kansas City. Russell married his high school sweetheart Sylvia Sue Steffy on December 31, 1958. They enjoyed 67 years of marriage. During later years, Russell sang in the choir and served on the Session of the Marion Center Presbyterian Church. He also served on the school board of the Marion Center High School. He enjoyed fishing, solitaire on the computer and Polka and western square dancing with his wife, Sue. Russell is survived by his wife Sue, daughter Amy (Mark) Lowmaster of Punxsutawney, sons Norman Olson and Ronald Olson of Marion Center; sister Edith Gromley of Show Low, Arizona; friends Anna & Jeff Mencer; six grandchildren: Melissa (Nathaniel), Amanda (Joe), Gary (Tina), Mark (Lauren), Nichele (Chad) and Katelin (Luke); fourteen great-grandchildren: Lennon, Mackenzi, Danika, Hailey, Haddie, Gary, Mark, Kingston, Gabrielle, Lillianna, Thea, Sereia, Laurel and Sylvia; and several nieces and nephews. He was proceeded in death by his parents, son Gary Olson, and sister Betty Sheridan. A celebration of life will be held at the Presbyterian Church of Marion in Marion Center on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 1:00 p.m., with Reverand Bruce Shannon and Pastor Donna Kanouff officiating. There will be a reception for family, relatives and friends following the service. A private interment will take place at the Marion Center Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Presbyterian Church of Marion in memory of Russell. We wish to thank our family, our church family, friends and the nurses and aides of the Indiana VNA Hospice for their care and concern these past years. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Furlong Funeral Home of Summerville. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7

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