A Livestream of Susan and Jerry's Memorial Service will be available on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/powersfuneralhomes

Susan Joy Olson passed away on January 24, 2023, at Rock Creek Senior Living in Ankeny, IA. She was 74.

Susan was born to Dale & Dorothy (King) Johnston on February 26, 1948, in Ft. Dodge, IA. She grew up in Grant Township on the family farm. Susan went to country school (Grant #8) and made lifelong friends there before going to Pocahontas Community Schools for 4th grade through graduation. She was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church.

On May 28, 1982, Jerry A. Olson married Susan and acquired two bonus daughters, Deanna and Julie. Susan was also blessed to gain two more children through their union, Tony and Linnea. Their marriage and life together took them to several different cities around the Midwest to call home – first in Davenport, IA, where Susan worked for the Area Education Agency. They later moved to Minneapolis, MN, where she held the position of secretary to the president at Dunwoody Institute. They settled in De Forest, WI, for 25 years where Jerry was a pastor at Christ Lutheran Church, and Susan worked jobs as both the secretary to the village administrator and later in the local pharmacy's gift department. Jerry and Susan enjoyed their time immensely in WI with their church family and made many wonderful memories. Upon Jerry's retirement in 2014, they moved to Des Moines, IA to be close to their children, grandchildren, and family roots.

Susan was feisty, strong-willed, & passionate. She loved tending to flowers & plants in her garden, reading, baking & above all being with Jerry. After his passing in March 2022, she moved to Rock Creek Senior Living in Ankeny where she made many new friends quickly. She'll miss weekly bingo and manicure days with her "girls".

Susan was preceded in death by her parents, Dale & Dorothy Johnston; her in-laws, Miles & Bertha Olson; her brother-in-law, Sheldon Bieri, and her beloved soulmate Jerry. She is survived by her children – Deanna Samuelson (Lena), Julie Barkema (Eric), Tony Olson (Carey), and Linnea Dolan (Mike) as well as her 9 grandchildren; her brother, Dave Johnston (Bev); Jerry's sister, Linda Bieri, and several nieces and nephews.

Due to Susan's poor health, the family was unable to hold a memorial service for Jerry after his passing in March 2022. Therefore, a joint service honoring both of their memories will be held on February 17, 2023, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Pocahontas, IA.

The family extends deep thanks and appreciation to the staff at Rock Creek Senior Living and Suncrest Hospice.