Franz Eric Olsen
December 12, 1965 – July 20, 2020

A private funeral service for Franz Eric Olsen, 54, of Des Moines, Iowa, formerly of Chamberlain, SD, was held
on Saturday, July 25, 2020, at Lincoln Heights Lutheran Church of Des Moines, Iowa.
Burial was at Graceland Cemetery of Mitchell, SD.
Franz Eric Olsen died Monday, July 20, 2020, at Des Moines, Iowa.
Franz Eric Olsen was born Dec. 12, 1965, at Yankton, SD, to Calvin and Ruth (Wood) Olsen.
He grew up in Chamberlain, SD, and graduated from Chamberlain High School. After high school, Franz attended Black Hills State of Spearfish, SD, and South Dakota State University of Brookings, SD.
He joined the Air Force in 1986 and while in the Air Force, Franz received his bachelor of science degree from the University of Nebraska, Omaha.
Franz served in the Air Force for 12 years as a communication specialist.
He served in Operation Desert Storm while stationed in Saudi Arabia. Franz was also stationed in Turkey among other air bases.
After the Air Force, Franz continued his service and retired from the Iowa Air Guard in Sioux City, Iowa.
Franz was a member of Lincoln Heights Lutheran Church in Des Moines, Iowa.
He was an avid model railroad enthusiast and a member of a train club in Des Moines, Iowa.
Flower gardening was Franz’s pride and joy.
Grateful for having shared his life are a daughter, Elizebeth Olsen of Des Moines, Iowa; a very special friend, Marie Keller; his parents, Calvin and Ruth Olsen of Mitchell, SD; a brother, Jay Olsen and wife, Marie of Sioux
Falls, SD, and a sister, Marlene Mosher and husband, Troy of Prescott Valley, AZ.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents.
Bittner Funeral Chapel of Mitchell, SD, was in charge of arrangements.