R. Blaine Olson, 94, of De Soto died Aug. 29, 2017, at his home. Mr. Olson, a 1940 graduate of De Soto High School, owned and operated Olson’s Hatchery with his brother. He also worked for Tri-City Hardware and Berry Auto Parts. He was active in the De Soto community, serving as chairperson for the De Soto Caroling Association; and as secretary/treasurer for P.R.I.D.E. He was a member of the De Soto Park Board and volunteered with the De Soto Food Pantry and the De Soto Public Library. In 1994, he received the De Soto Chamber of Commerce 100 Percent Award. He also was very involved in the activities of the De Soto Community Church of God, formerly known as First Church of God. He was responsible for transferring the old handwritten records of many local cemeteries to a digital format. Born July 4, 1923, in Hematite, he was the son of the late George and Maude (McKee) Olson.
He is survived by his wife of 71 years: Betty J. (Eggleston) Olson of De Soto; two children: Gary (Barbara “Cricket”) Olson of Hillsboro and Diane (the Rev. Trent) Freed of Bedford, Ind.; a sister: Geraldine Dial of Plymouth, Mich.; four grandchildren: Andrea (James) Siegfried, Russell (Emily) Olson, Justin Freed and Jared Freed; and two great-grandchildren: Patrick and Lydia Siegfried.
He was preceded in death by a brother: Carl (the late June) Olson; and a brother-in-law: Robert Dial.
A funeral service was held Sept. 1 at Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home in De Soto, officiated by the Rev. Gene Moses, the Rev. Ron Kulp and the Rev. Trent Freed. Burial was in the Woodlawn Cemetery in De Soto. Memorials may be made to the De Soto Community Church of God, 300 W. Mineral St., De Soto, 63020. Arrangements were under the direction of Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home.