Floyd L. Olsen

1923 – 2010

Floyd Leroy Olsen passed away peacefully on October 23, 2010. He was born on July 22, 1923 in Jefferson, Iowa, to Niels P. and Christina Olsen, the youngest of 4 children. After attending Wayne State Teacher’s College in Nebraska, he joined the U.S. Navy, serving during WWII as a Radioman. Upon discharge in 1946, he returned to Wayne State earning a B.A. degree in Education in 1948. He went on to teach high school in Center, Nebraska where he met his future wife, Mary Lela Halvorsen. He moved to Long Beach, CA in June 1949 and enrolled in Long Beach State College, working towards a California teaching credential. He asked Mary Lela to join him in CA and they were married November 5, 1949. He decided to take a job as an inspector at McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Co. in Long Beach. He ended up staying at Douglas for 31 years, retiring in 1982. Prior to his retirement, his dear wife developed breast cancer and passed away in January 1968, leaving him with two teenage daughters. Floyd was seldom idle; retirement spurred him to start square dancing with his companion of more than 25 years, Helen Brehmer. He also volunteered throughout the community, staying busy with Meals on Wheels, The Red Cross, The American Cancer Society, Food Finders and The V.A. Hospital. He was the grandfather of 5 and great grandfather of 3. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, sister, Helen, brother, Charles, wife Mary Lela, and grandson Bret. He is survived by his daughters, Karen Malloy (Dan) of Boise, Idaho, and Mary Caskey (Mikey) of Lakewood, CA, his sister Evelyn Rich, grandsons Duane Caskey (Emily), Darrell Caskey, Matthew Malloy, Christian Malloy and great grandchildren Chris, Eliana and Isaac Malloy. Viewing will be Tuesday, October 26 from 1-2 pm at Luyben Family Mortuary, 5161 Arbor Road, Long Beach with graveside service following at Forest Lawn, Cypress at 2:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to any of the above mentioned organizations.

Luyben Family Dilday-Mottell Mortuary (562) 425-6401

www.luybenfamilyd-m.com