Iris (Smout) Olson, Rockton, IL  (1917 - 2013)

November 20, 1917 - February 6, 2013
Iris (Smout) Olson, 95, of Rockton, IL, died Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013, in Highview in the Woodlands, Rockton, IL. She was born in Green County, WI, near Albany, on Nov. 20, 1917. Iris was the fourth of six children born to Leonard and Katie (Loeffel) Smout. She graduated from Brooklyn High School in 1935, and eventually came to Beloit, attending vocational schools and starting work at the Beloit Iron Works. There she met Russell Olson and they were married April 26, 1941. During his four years in North Africa, and Europe, during World War II, Iris traveled to Seattle, and worked as a riveter/bucker for Boeing Company making B17s. After the war, they settled in Rockton, IL. Their only daughter, Linda, was born in July of 1946. After Russ’s death in 1967, Iris began work in Rockford, as a tax preparer for Gibbs Accounting. She had her own office on the west side of Rockford for thirty years. Iris loved golfing, gardening, antiques and traveling. She was a big part of her grandchildren’s lives and enjoyed spending time with them. Iris was a member of First Baptist Church and was a Sunday School teacher.
Iris is survived by her daughter, Linda (Jay) Eaton of Rockton, IL; sister, Grayce (Bruce) Kramlich of Littleton, CO; granddaughter, Melissa (Ed) Lander of Ellicott City, MD, and their children, Mia, Ian, and Ava; two grandsons, Matthew Johnson of Rockton, IL, and Russ (Amy Schardein) Johnson and children, Lillian and Elias of Cincinnati, OH; many beloved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband; parents; brothers: Wilbur, Ivan, and Lee Smout; sister, Alyce Mae (Les) Saddler; nephew, Lowell Smout; and dear friend, Homer Trout.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 18, 2013, at FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, 617 Public Avenue, Beloit, WI, with Reverend Steven L. Hawkins officiating. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service Monday at the CHURCH. Graveside service will be at 2:30 p.m. in the Hillcrest Cemetery, Albany, WI. DALEY MURPHY WISCH & ASSOCIATES FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM, 2355 Cranston Road, Beloit, WI, assisted the family with arrangements.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family requests that memorials be made in Iris' name to the First Baptist Church.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.daleymurphywisch.com.