Belva E. (Shappell) Olson

Belva Eileen (Shappell) Olson was born April 1st, 1932 in Haxtun, Colorado to Clarence (Whitey) M. and Elizabeth Ruth (Enyeart) Shappell. She entered into the presence of the Lord on Friday, June 8th, 2018 at Hester Memorial Home in Benkelman, NE at the age of 86 years of age.

Belva had schooling in her younger years in Laird Colorado. She later attended high school in Wray Colorado where she was active in Future Homemakers of America and graduated with the class of 1950. Shortly after graduation on December 10, 1950, Belva was united in marriage to Clifford Emil Olson in Wray, Colorado and they moved to his family’s farm north of Haigler where they had four sons, Mike, Scott, Jeff and Steve, along with an infant daughter Patty that died at 4 months of age. Belva lived on the Olson homestead for over 66 years.

As a farmer and ranchers wife, Belva was homemaker who worked hard to raise four boys, and cooked lunch daily for the family and hired help up until a few years ago. While her boys were in high school, she could be found cheering them on in all their sporting events. Belva and Clifford were big Husker football fans and traveled to many of the games in Lincoln along with road tripping to a few bowl games. They also enjoyed camping at Enders Lake in their RV and golfing in their spare time. Belva was a member of the Red Hatters and extension club. Belva enjoyed spending time with her grandkids and hosting/cooking for big family holiday gatherings.

Preceding her in death was her husband Clifford Emil Olson and infant daughter Patty; parents Clarence and Elizabeth Ruth Shappell; sister Ida (Shappell) Thompson; brother Raymond Shappell; sister-in-law Willmenia (Olson) Courtney and Marlene (Shappell) Bear; nephews, Bill Courtney and Arthur Weaver.

Survivors include four sons, Mike (Linda) Olson, and their children Wade (Alexa) Olson and Gena; Scott (Rhonda) Olson and their children Jennifer (Marc) Brown, Joe, Tracy (Matt) Conner, Brooke; Jeff Olson and children Jacilyn (Greg) Bryant, Jocelyn (Alex) Ryan; Steve (Steph) Olson and their children Tony, Matthew, Jessica and Trevor. Brother in-law Jim Courtney of Laird, Colorado; niece Sharon Lightle; nephews Vern Shappell, Bill Shappell, Bruce Courtney, Jim Courtney, and Bob Courtney; and 14 great-grandchildren, along numerous other relatives, friends and neighbors.

A visitation was held on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home in Wray, Colorado. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 13, 2018, 10:00 a.m. at the Haigler United Methodist Church in Haigler, Nebraska with Pastor Gary Fisher officiating. Interment will be held in the Haigler Cemetery in Haigler, Nebraska, In lieu of usual remembrances memorials may be given in her name to the Haigler United Methodist Church. Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.