Rev. Roger H. Olson

The Rev. Roger H. Olson, 86, Woodstock, died Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014, at Valley Hi Nursing Home, Hartland.
He was born Nov. 5, 1928, to Harry and Ruth (Nelson) Olson in Altona.
On Feb. 23, 1963, he married Diane Hidebrands.
Roger was a veteran, serving in the U.S. Air Force from 1954 to 1956. He spent 20 months stationed in Nagoya, Japan.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in animal husbandry from Iowa State University in 1954 and began a career in farming in the Altona area and also in McHenry County. He earned a Masters of Divinity from Augustana College and went on to serve in many churches: pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Centralia from 1966 until 1971; pastor at Nativity Lutheran Church, Wonder Lake 1971-1994; interim pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Harvard, 1994-1995; interim pastor at Salem Lutheran Church, Sycamore, 1995; associate pastor and interim pastor at Light of Christ, Algonquin, 1995-2000; interim pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Woodstock 2001-2002.
He celebrated life with a smile and a kind word. His faith in God never waivered and was shared to all he touched. He was loved and will be missed.
Survivors include four daughters, Terese D. (Peter) Paulson, Woodstock, Ruby D. (Bob) Gross, Crystal Lake, Dr. Maria D. (Jason) Mallory, Sartell, Minn., and Janel R. (Joe) Bottalla, Crystal Lake; three grandchildren, Hannah and Phillip Paulson and Joseph R. Bottalla; and two brothers, Max Olson and Harley Olson.
He was preceded in death by his wife; a brother, Sam Olson; a sister, Ruby Kimmelshue; and his parents.
A memorial gathering will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, at Light of Christ Church, 100 Hanson Road, Algonquin. Interment will be private.
Memorials may be made to Light of Christ Church Building Fund.
Arrangements were made by Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home.