Edwood “Oley” Joseph Olsen, age 80, of Springfield, MO, passed away Tuesday, September 20, 2011, at Cox South Medical Center, Springfield, MO. He was born February 16, 1931, in New York City, NY, to Thorvald and Amanda (Melhus) Olsen. He served in the United States Air Force from 1950-1954 during the Korean War, receiving an honorable discharge as a Staff Sergeant while stationed at Sedalia Air Force Base, Sedalia, MO.
“Oley” was employed as a Police Officer for the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department for four years prior to going to work as a Police Officer for the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1964. He retired from the UMKC Police Department as a Police Captain on March 15, 1987.
He was preceded in death by his parents Thorvald and Amanda (Melhus) Olsen, wife Mary E. (Wright) Olsen, and daughter Mary Beth Rembold.
He is survived by two sons: Terry N. Taylor and wife Kristina, Springfield, MO; A. Paul Taylor II and wife Wendy, Elkland, MO; two daughters: Leesa A. Taylor, Raytown, MO, and Lora E. Taylor, Visalia, CA; grandchildren: Benjamin Taylor, Matthew Taylor, Robert Taylor, Nicholas Taylor, Elizabeth Rembold, Ricky Rembold Jr., Joseph Rembold, LeeAnn Reiff, Andrew Reiff, Jason Warden; three great granddaughters and two great grandsons; two brothers: Russell Olsen and wife Doris, and Kenneth Olsen; and eight nieces and nephews.
According to Oley’s wishes, his body will be cremated and a private family service will be held on October 15 in Macks Creek, MO. Arrangements have been entrusted to Greenlawn Funeral Home East, Springfield, MO.