Cover photo for Walter "Mike" Olson Iii's Obituary
Walter "Mike" Olson Iii Profile Photo
1945 Walter 2023

Walter "Mike" Olson Iii

January 24, 1945 — February 6, 2023

Slaughters, KY

Walter T. (Mike) Olson III, 78, of Slaughters, KY passed away on Monday, February 6, 2023 at Deaconess Gateway in Newburgh, IN.

He was born in Silver Springs, MD on January 24, 1945.  His family relocated to Owensboro, KY, then he met his wife of over 57 years, Sandra Rakestraw Olson of Slaughters, KY.

After his service in the U.S. Navy, he and Sandra settled in Henderson, KY where they raised a family and lived for over 40 years.

Mike worked for Eaton Corp/Dana Corp where he retired after 37 years.  He and Sandra had an antique furniture restoration business.

He was a long time member of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church but moved his membership to Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church when they moved to Slaughters in 2013 to live in Sandra’s homeplace.

Mike served over 15 years as a boy scout leader in Troop 280 at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church.  The church presented to him The Cross and Flame Award for his exceptional service in the use and promotion of the scouting program.  The Boy Scouts of America awarded him the Silver Beaver for his service to the community through the scouting program.  His greatest award was seeing his son Chris earn the rank of Eagle.

Mike was a Kentucky Colonel.  He was a longtime member and past president of the Henderson Lions Club.

Mike was the son of the late Walter T. Olson Jr. and Thelma Reichart Olson of Chattanooga, TN.  He was preceded in death by his in-laws, Powell Davis Rakestraw Sr. and Mary Frank Tompkins Rakestraw of Slaughters, KY, one sister Susan Davenport, and one brother Lynn Olson, both of Chattanooga, TN.

He is survived by his wife Sandra of over 57 years, one daughter Leslie (Gary) Simon of Murfreesboro, TN, one son Chris (Nancy) Olson of Slaughters, KY, three wonderful grandchildren, Noah Olson Simon, Gracie Lee Olson and Davis Lynn Olson, several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at Townsend Funeral Home in Dixon, KY at 1:00 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2023.  Rev. Cameron Edwards will officiate.  Burial will be in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Slaughters, KY.  Visitation will be from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm Friday, February 10, 2023 and from 11:00 am until service time on Saturday at the funeral home.  Pallbearers will be Jason Rakestraw, Edmond Whitsell, Scott Saalwaechter, Tony Fanok, Chris Marshall, Tony Johnson and Erick Biggers.  Honorary Pallbearers will be David Liggett, Wayne Pauley, and Terry Todd.

Donations can be made to Mt. Pleasant Cemetery Fund, 3072 Rakestraw Bottoms Road, Slaughters, KY 42456 or to Henderson Lions Club, PO Box 842, Henderson, KY 42419.

On line condolences can be made at www.townsendfuneralhomeinc.com.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Walter "Mike" Olson Iii, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Friday, February 10, 2023

3:00 - 8:00 pm (Central time)

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Funeral Service

Saturday, February 11, 2023

Starts at 1:00 pm (Central time)

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