Kirk Olson, 74, of Grinnell died Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at his home surrounded by friends and family.

There will be a Celebration of Life Gathering will be on Friday, May 29, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Cox-Smith Funeral Home. Memorials may be directed to the family.

Kirk J. Olson was born on January 8, 1952, to Gifford and Faye Olson in Des Moines, Iowa. He attended Des Moines Schools. His family moved to Holiday Lake, and later Brooklyn, Iowa and Kirk settled down in Grinnell. Kirk did janitorial work for the Grinnell schools. He enjoyed camping and being outdoors; building forts or exploring tunnels and bird watching. Kirk was an animal lover. He loved his family and always stood by them.

Kirk is survived by his step-children, Raymond Watkins, Jr. of Searsboro, Chris (Sheila) Watkins of Grinnell, and Missy Watkins of Newton; 13 grandchildren, Blake, Madison and Kyndra Watkins, Vincent Kono, Laurana Miller, Nevaeh Deeter, Payton, Makayla and Colton Carter, Izaha Watkins, Naudia and Tristian Bailey and Major Conn; brother, Jay Olson; his in-laws, Larry and Angie Shine, LaDema (Donnie Mosley) Kephart, Sharon (Lee Harris) Nelson and Jackie (Jeff Hill) Shine; and several nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Jerry and Georgie; and his ex-wife, Dawn Garner.