Norris Goodrich Olney, Jr. the son of Norris G. and Doris B. (Hawk) Olney, was born in Marathon, Iowa on May 14, 1930. He was the 4th of 9 children. He was baptized as an infant in the Catholic Church, but as an adult became a member of the Marathon United Methodist Church.
Norris grew up in Marathon and graduated from Marathon Consolidated School in 1947. He then went to Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa to study forestry for two years before joining the United States Navy where he served on several different ships for four years. Upon returning to Marathon, he decided to switch majors and become an attorney and went to Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa to study law. Here he met France A. Evans.
Norris and Frances were united in marriage on December 23, 1956, in the West Des Moines Methodist Church. Together, they were blessed with six children: Joan, Leslie, Bill, Michael, Richard and Jayne.
Following their marriage, they made their home in West Des Moines while Norris attended Drake. Following his graduation, they moved to Marathon where Norris was employed with his father in the bank and also operated his own law practice. Norris retired from the banking profession at age 65 but continued his law practice until April 15, 2015. Throughout the years, Norris and Fran welcomed ten foreign exchange students from around the world into their home.
Norris was an active member of the Marathon United Methodist Church where he served as church treasurer for many years and sang in the choir. Norris also served on many civic boards and committees including acting as Poland Township Clerk for many years. He was a proud member of the Buena Vista County Bar Association, the Iowa Bar Association, American Legion, the VFW and the Masonic Lodge.
He was an avid environmentalist and botanist and enjoyed raising a bountiful vegetable garden every year. His passion for botany and the outdoors contribute to his involvement in promoting and preserving the Marathon Park. The family remembers many summer trips to Washington State where they enjoyed the beautiful scenery. Norris also enjoyed fishing and spending time with his three grandsons.
Norris’ life is honored and cherished by his family which include his children: Joan Olney of Marathon, Iowa; Leslie Olney of Armstrong, Iowa; Bill Olney of Marathon, Iowa; Richard (Angie) Olney of Armstrong, Iowa; and Jayne Berends of Spirit Lake, Iowa; three grandsons: Nathan Olney, Andrew Berends and Dominic Berends; brother, Byron Olney of Rochester, Minnesota; sister, Elizabeth Stecher of Silver Springs, Maryland; other extended family and many lifelong friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Frances; infant son, Michael; four brothers: infant Richard N., Richard, James, and John; and two sisters: Margaret and Frances.
Norris grew up in Marathon and graduated from Marathon Consolidated School in 1947. He then went to Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa to study forestry for two years before joining the United States Navy where he served on several different ships for four years. Upon returning to Marathon, he decided to switch majors and become an attorney and went to Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa to study law. Here he met France A. Evans.
Norris and Frances were united in marriage on December 23, 1956, in the West Des Moines Methodist Church. Together, they were blessed with six children: Joan, Leslie, Bill, Michael, Richard and Jayne.
Following their marriage, they made their home in West Des Moines while Norris attended Drake. Following his graduation, they moved to Marathon where Norris was employed with his father in the bank and also operated his own law practice. Norris retired from the banking profession at age 65 but continued his law practice until April 15, 2015. Throughout the years, Norris and Fran welcomed ten foreign exchange students from around the world into their home.
Norris was an active member of the Marathon United Methodist Church where he served as church treasurer for many years and sang in the choir. Norris also served on many civic boards and committees including acting as Poland Township Clerk for many years. He was a proud member of the Buena Vista County Bar Association, the Iowa Bar Association, American Legion, the VFW and the Masonic Lodge.
He was an avid environmentalist and botanist and enjoyed raising a bountiful vegetable garden every year. His passion for botany and the outdoors contribute to his involvement in promoting and preserving the Marathon Park. The family remembers many summer trips to Washington State where they enjoyed the beautiful scenery. Norris also enjoyed fishing and spending time with his three grandsons.
Norris’ life is honored and cherished by his family which include his children: Joan Olney of Marathon, Iowa; Leslie Olney of Armstrong, Iowa; Bill Olney of Marathon, Iowa; Richard (Angie) Olney of Armstrong, Iowa; and Jayne Berends of Spirit Lake, Iowa; three grandsons: Nathan Olney, Andrew Berends and Dominic Berends; brother, Byron Olney of Rochester, Minnesota; sister, Elizabeth Stecher of Silver Springs, Maryland; other extended family and many lifelong friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Frances; infant son, Michael; four brothers: infant Richard N., Richard, James, and John; and two sisters: Margaret and Frances.
Norris Goodrich Olney, Jr. the son of Norris G. and Doris B. (Hawk) Olney, was born in Marathon, Iowa on May 14, 1930. He was the 4th of 9 children. He was baptized as an infant in the Catholic Church, but as an adult became a member of the Marathon United Methodist Church.
Norris grew up in Marathon and graduated from Marathon Consolidated School in 1947. He then went to Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa to study forestry for two years before joining the United States Navy where he served on several different ships for four years. Upon returning to Marathon, he decided to switch majors and become an attorney and went to Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa to study law. Here he met France A. Evans.
Norris and Frances were united in marriage on December 23, 1956, in the West Des Moines Methodist Church. Together, they were blessed with six children: Joan, Leslie, Bill, Michael, Richard and Jayne.
Following their marriage, they made their home in West Des Moines while Norris attended Drake. Following his graduation, they moved to Marathon where Norris was employed with his father in the bank and also operated his own law practice. Norris retired from the banking profession at age 65 but continued his law practice until April 15, 2015. Throughout the years, Norris and Fran welcomed ten foreign exchange students from around the world into their home.
Norris was an active member of the Marathon United Methodist Church where he served as church treasurer for many years and sang in the choir. Norris also served on many civic boards and committees including acting as Poland Township Clerk for many years. He was a proud member of the Buena Vista County Bar Association, the Iowa Bar Association, American Legion, the VFW and the Masonic Lodge.
He was an avid environmentalist and botanist and enjoyed raising a bountiful vegetable garden every year. His passion for botany and the outdoors contribute to his involvement in promoting and preserving the Marathon Park. The family remembers many summer trips to Washington State where they enjoyed the beautiful scenery. Norris also enjoyed fishing and spending time with his three grandsons.
Norris’ life is honored and cherished by his family which include his children: Joan Olney of Marathon, Iowa; Leslie Olney of Armstrong, Iowa; Bill Olney of Marathon, Iowa; Richard (Angie) Olney of Armstrong, Iowa; and Jayne Berends of Spirit Lake, Iowa; three grandsons: Nathan Olney, Andrew Berends and Dominic Berends; brother, Byron Olney of Rochester, Minnesota; sister, Elizabeth Stecher of Silver Springs, Maryland; other extended family and many lifelong friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Frances; infant son, Michael; four brothers: infant Richard N., Richard, James, and John; and two sisters: Margaret and Frances.
Norris grew up in Marathon and graduated from Marathon Consolidated School in 1947. He then went to Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa to study forestry for two years before joining the United States Navy where he served on several different ships for four years. Upon returning to Marathon, he decided to switch majors and become an attorney and went to Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa to study law. Here he met France A. Evans.
Norris and Frances were united in marriage on December 23, 1956, in the West Des Moines Methodist Church. Together, they were blessed with six children: Joan, Leslie, Bill, Michael, Richard and Jayne.
Following their marriage, they made their home in West Des Moines while Norris attended Drake. Following his graduation, they moved to Marathon where Norris was employed with his father in the bank and also operated his own law practice. Norris retired from the banking profession at age 65 but continued his law practice until April 15, 2015. Throughout the years, Norris and Fran welcomed ten foreign exchange students from around the world into their home.
Norris was an active member of the Marathon United Methodist Church where he served as church treasurer for many years and sang in the choir. Norris also served on many civic boards and committees including acting as Poland Township Clerk for many years. He was a proud member of the Buena Vista County Bar Association, the Iowa Bar Association, American Legion, the VFW and the Masonic Lodge.
He was an avid environmentalist and botanist and enjoyed raising a bountiful vegetable garden every year. His passion for botany and the outdoors contribute to his involvement in promoting and preserving the Marathon Park. The family remembers many summer trips to Washington State where they enjoyed the beautiful scenery. Norris also enjoyed fishing and spending time with his three grandsons.
Norris’ life is honored and cherished by his family which include his children: Joan Olney of Marathon, Iowa; Leslie Olney of Armstrong, Iowa; Bill Olney of Marathon, Iowa; Richard (Angie) Olney of Armstrong, Iowa; and Jayne Berends of Spirit Lake, Iowa; three grandsons: Nathan Olney, Andrew Berends and Dominic Berends; brother, Byron Olney of Rochester, Minnesota; sister, Elizabeth Stecher of Silver Springs, Maryland; other extended family and many lifelong friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Frances; infant son, Michael; four brothers: infant Richard N., Richard, James, and John; and two sisters: Margaret and Frances.
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