Theodore "Ted" Robert Olinger
September 30, 1930 — July 12, 2018
Theodore Robert “Ted” Olinger, 87, lifelong resident of Toddville, Iowa, passed away Thursday, July 12, 2018, at his residence from complications of esophageal cancer. The family will greet friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 18, 2018, at Toddville Free Methodist Church, located at 309 Johnson Drive, Toddville, Iowa, with Reverend Tim DeVries officiating. A Funeral Service will follow the visitation at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Burial will take place at Oliphant Cemetery in rural Center Point. Arrangements are in the care of Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Marion.
Ted was born on September 3, 1930 in Toddville to Theodore Jay “T.J.” and Dorothy Mildred (McCreary) Olinger. He graduated from Toddville High School in 1948 where he was active in music. Ted studied at both Iowa State University and the University of Iowa. On August 28, 1952, Ted married Doris L. Miller in Robins, Iowa. He worked with his father building homes at Olinger Construction for many years, eventually taking over the family business. Ted owned and operated Ted Olinger – Building Contractor, Inc. and built hundreds of homes throughout Linn County over a period of 70 years. During that time, he enlisted the assistance of his wife, Doris, and employed his two sons, brothers, son-in-law, nephews, cousins, and friends at different points over the years. Ted and Doris had many loyal customers, many of whom became longtime friends. Even in his later years, he continued to do remodeling and small construction projects for family, friends, and former customers. His reputation as a quality home builder and carpenter is widely recognized even today. Ted was a longtime supporter of the Monroe Township Fire Department in Toddville, volunteering as a firefighter there for many years. He will be remembered for his unique laugh, his constant ribbing and teasing, his sense of humor, and of course, his melodic whistling that followed him everywhere he went.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Doris; his children, Steve Olinger of Hiawatha, Becky Olson of Fridley, Minnesota, Anita (Jim) Thompson of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and Peter Olinger of Rochester, Minnesota; his grandsons, Trent and Ty Thompson; two sisters, Virginia Pearl Beaner of Marion, and Deanna Janeece (David) Lasley of Monticello; a brother, John Dwight (Carol) Olinger of Burnsville, MN; four sisters-in-law, Dianne Olinger of Toddville, Nelda (Chuck) Hoover of Cedar Rapids, Alice Marie Maxfield of Robins, and Helen Andrews of Cedar Rapids; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Genevieve Evelyn Olinger; his brother, Nolan Richard Olinger; his son-in-law, Kent Olson; and three brothers-in-law, Charles Beaner, Charles Maxfield, and Donald Andrews.
Memorials in Ted’s memory may be directed to the Monroe Township Fire Department at: 3745 Toddville Road, Toddville, Iowa 52341.
Ted was born on September 3, 1930 in Toddville to Theodore Jay “T.J.” and Dorothy Mildred (McCreary) Olinger. He graduated from Toddville High School in 1948 where he was active in music. Ted studied at both Iowa State University and the University of Iowa. On August 28, 1952, Ted married Doris L. Miller in Robins, Iowa. He worked with his father building homes at Olinger Construction for many years, eventually taking over the family business. Ted owned and operated Ted Olinger – Building Contractor, Inc. and built hundreds of homes throughout Linn County over a period of 70 years. During that time, he enlisted the assistance of his wife, Doris, and employed his two sons, brothers, son-in-law, nephews, cousins, and friends at different points over the years. Ted and Doris had many loyal customers, many of whom became longtime friends. Even in his later years, he continued to do remodeling and small construction projects for family, friends, and former customers. His reputation as a quality home builder and carpenter is widely recognized even today. Ted was a longtime supporter of the Monroe Township Fire Department in Toddville, volunteering as a firefighter there for many years. He will be remembered for his unique laugh, his constant ribbing and teasing, his sense of humor, and of course, his melodic whistling that followed him everywhere he went.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Doris; his children, Steve Olinger of Hiawatha, Becky Olson of Fridley, Minnesota, Anita (Jim) Thompson of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and Peter Olinger of Rochester, Minnesota; his grandsons, Trent and Ty Thompson; two sisters, Virginia Pearl Beaner of Marion, and Deanna Janeece (David) Lasley of Monticello; a brother, John Dwight (Carol) Olinger of Burnsville, MN; four sisters-in-law, Dianne Olinger of Toddville, Nelda (Chuck) Hoover of Cedar Rapids, Alice Marie Maxfield of Robins, and Helen Andrews of Cedar Rapids; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Genevieve Evelyn Olinger; his brother, Nolan Richard Olinger; his son-in-law, Kent Olson; and three brothers-in-law, Charles Beaner, Charles Maxfield, and Donald Andrews.
Memorials in Ted’s memory may be directed to the Monroe Township Fire Department at: 3745 Toddville Road, Toddville, Iowa 52341.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Theodore "Ted" Robert Olinger, please visit our flower store.