Roberta Jean (Bobbie Allison) Olson, 79, of Marshalltown, IA, our angel, passed away at the Iowa River Hospice home on August 31st, 2024 after a prolonged illness.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, September 5, 2024 at 10:00 at the First Congregational Church, with Pastor Dan Vellinga officiating. Visitation will be held on Wednesday at Anderson Funeral Homes, where family will greet friends from 5:00 to 7:00. A private family burial will be at Hillside Cemetery, State Center, Iowa.

Memorials can be designated in her name, to Iowa River Hospice. Online condolences may be sent to www.andersonfhs.com.

Bobbie brought great joy to her parents Dr. Archibald F. and Jeanette B. (Ricketts) Allison with the arrival of her birth on September 27, 1944, in Marshalltown, Iowa. Her childhood was full of adventure and love at their home on N. Eighth Street in Marshalltown. She was part of a neighborhood group of children who enjoyed playing and causing mischief. Bobbie was dedicated to her education, graduating with the Marshalltown High School Class of 1962. She had great fun participating in MHS Mermaids, Bobette’s, cheer club, dance, and playing piano for Sunday School at First Congregational Church.

On December 22, 1984, Bobbie and John Olson were joined in matrimony at the First Congregational Church. They fell in love working at the Veteran’s Home and while listening to John play guitar and sing John Denver’s song For Baby (for Bobbie). Notably, after John sang My Sweet Lady, she agreed to marry him. Pursuing her love of science, mental health and helping others, Bobbie graduated from the Evangelical School of  Nursing in 1967 as Valedictorian and then received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from St. Francis College in Joliet, IL. She later received her certification in gerontology. She worked for a short time at the Evangelical Hospital in Marshalltown. In November of 1967 she started working nights at The Iowa Soldier’s Home (which in 1977 became known as the Iowa Veterans Home). Working at the IVH for forty-three years, nursing was a lifelong passion. She was proud of her career and thankful to have established wonderful relationships with her residents and colleagues.

An active community member, Bobbie always found ways to connect with her community. Along with her mother Jeanette and her sisters, Bobbie was a member of P.E.O. Chapter BB for fifty-six years. She was a lifetime member of the First Congregational Church and participated in the church choir. During the holiday season, her home on Main Street would be decorated with wreaths, candles, and bows honoring the spirit of Christmas. Bobbie vacationed at Leech Lake, Minnesota, with her family throughout the years. The lake became a beloved tradition bringing the Allison family together year after year. Bobbie especially loved water skiing, getting cozy and making s’mores at the fire, and listening to the loons. Bobbie’s cabin always had the best gear, food, and toys.

Bobbie was a force of light in this world giving everyone she knew endless love. She carried herself with great elegance, generosity, and positivity. You could always count on her to shout out her catchphrase, “How wonderful!” As the family photographer, Bobbie ensured every single moment was captured on camera. Her family and friends loved receiving her delicious homemade jam and pumpkin bread with the help of her husband John’s fruit trees and her niece Emily’s pumpkins. Her pumpkin bread was as sweet as her soul, and her movie collection was almost as big as her heart. There are no words to describe how deeply Bobbie is loved. She was the angel in our lives inspiring us to be kinder humans. Everyone deserves a Bobbie. Left to cherish her memory are her husband of forty years and the love of her life, John Olson, of Marshalltown; her beloved siblings Arch (Julie) Allison, Jim (LaDonna) Allison and Becky (Greg) Lievens; her children Heather (Chris) Reitenbaugh, Jonathan (Alana) Olson, Eric Olson, honorary daughter Kim Cooney, and son-in-law Jon Huffaker; her grandchildren; Alyx Loney (Ailana), Chris and Kayla Reitenbaugh, Dakota (Cassidy) Wolken, Brindley and Makinley Olson, Jaida Olson, Callum and Rose Cooney, and Landon and Drake Huffaker; and her life-long friend Damie Brownlee Crosswell; and many beloved nieces and nephews.  Bobbie was preceded in death by her parents Archibald and Jeanette Allison; daughters Jeanne Wolken-Orstad and Tricia McKenzie Loney, and a son Robert Bruce Loney at birth.                                              Bobbie’s message to everyone is, “Enjoy the life you are given and keep moving forward on your journey with gratitude, kindness, love and peace”.