Norman Oleson

Norman G. Oleson, 86, the third child of Louis and Hertha (Guldager)  Oleson, was born in Cedar Falls on August 13, 1931. He died at Cedar Valley Hospice Home, in Waterloo on September 24, 2017. Norman grew up with his parents, one brother  and two sisters, on their family farm five miles southwest of Cedar Falls. He attended district grade school (Greely #18) and graduated from Iowa State Teachers College High School in May of 1949.  Norman attended Iowa State University the winter  & spring quarters of 1950 (studying agriculture). Then in June of 1950, when the Korean War began he enlisted in the Navy for four years and was inducted February 7, 1951, This is where he learned the vocation of  Air Traffic Control. After Navy Air Traffic control School, he was assigned to the Naval Air Station, Quonset Point, RI (Providence). He was there for 39 months until being discharged February 4, 1955. Norman then returned to the family farm planning to follow his father in the occupation of farming. He could not forget his work in air traffic control and his interest in the aviation field. Norman applied for a job with the CAA (now the Federal Aviation Administration) and was hired at the Chicago Air Control (Midway Airport) October 7, 1955. He transferred to the Control Tower at O'Hare Field  February 26, 1956 and was there until June 12, 1982. Norman transferred to the  Waterloo FAA Control Tower as the Tower Manager June 13, 1982. He retired from the FAA January 2, 1988.

Norman was baptized at Bethlehem Lutheran Church September 27, 1931. He was confirmed at Friedsville Lutheran Church April 14, 1946. Norman joined Bethlehem in the fall of 1950 before leaving for the Navy the following February. While living in the Chicago area, he was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church and St. Luke's Lutheran Church, both of Park Ridge, Illinois. He again joined Bethlehem, when returning to the Cedar Fall area in 1982.

He always participated in Choral singing, since high school. He enjoyed singing with the Navy Glee Club, Great Lakes, Illinois, Navy Chapel Choir at Quonset Point, RI, church choirs at Bethlehem , Messiah, St. Luke's and the Lutheran choir of Chicago.

Norman is survived by two sisters, Eldora Sturm of Cedar Falls and Marlys Cook of West Des Moines; five nephews, three nieces and a number of Grand Nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death  by his parents and one brother Maynard Oleson.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 28, 2017 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, with burial in Fredsville Lutheran Cemetery, both in Cedar Falls. Visitation will be 4:00 p.m., to 6:00 p.m.  Wednesday, September 27 at Dahl-Van hove-Schoof Funeral Home and one hour before services at the church.  Memorials may be directed Cedar Falls Lutheran Home or Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Condolences may be left at www.DahlFuneralHome.com.