Gene Olson, 86, of Onarga passed away on Friday, August 7, 2026 at Gilman Healthcare. He was born on August 5, 1940 in Buckley, the son of Vernon and Pearl (Giroux) Olson. Gene married Sandy French in Gilman on August 21, 1959. Gene and Sandy, his wife and best friend, can once again be together as she preceded him in death on March 30, 2019. Gene was also preceded in death by both parents, two sisters, Betty Heideman and Fern Eheart, and one son-in-law, Roger Morgan.

 

Survivors include three daughters, Becky Morgan, Lori (Herb) Henrichs, and Pam (Carlos) Valdez, all of Onarga; two grandchildren, Kayla (Jesus) Garcia of Brownsburg, IN, and Eric (Jayme) Zuniga of Round Lake Beach; four great-grandchildren, Milan and Joelle Garcia and Callum and Lyanna Zuniga; and one brother, Russell Olson of Gilman.

 

Gene was a pipefitter by trade, starting at 24 years of age and retiring in 2002. He also raced stock cars, strictly for the fun of it, from 1972-1975. Gene was an athlete in high school and very much enjoyed watching his daughters play in all their sports. He was able to “relive” his glory days while coaching and watching his grandson play football.

 

Visitation will be on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. until the 12:00 p.m. funeral service at the Knapp-Redenius Funeral Home in Gilman with Sissie Poppie officiating. Private burial will follow in the Onarga Cemetery.

 

Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.

 

Please share a memory of Gene at www.knappfuneralhomes.com.