Lelia B. Olson is a native of Wood River, having been born here in 1897. Her parents were Lewis W. and Alice (Kunz) Burmood. Her grandparents, Eberhardt Kunz and Mitchell Burmood were pioneer homesteaders in Hall County.
Following graduation from Wood River High School in 1915, she attended Kearney Normal (now UN-K) for 1 year; then taught in rural schools in Cedar, Cherry, Cheyenne, Hall, and Polk counties. In 1922, she married Whitman C. Olson of Osceola NE. They had two sons: James W. and William L.
She and her husband farmed until 1941. Later, they operated the Wood River Oil Company. For a number of years she served as Secretary of the Wood River Cemetery Association. As a result of her teaching background, she maintained a lifelong interest in education.
In May of 1989, she passed away at the age of 92.
Brief biography of Whitman C. Olson
Whitman C. Olson was born near Sidney NE in 1896. His parents, Charles and Meta (Busekist) Olson were pioneer homesteaders in Cheyenne county.
At an early age, he moved with his parents to Osceola NE, where he graduated from high school in 1914. Following two years in engineering college at Iowa State University, he returned to Osceola, where he farmed with his father. In 1922, he was married to Lelia B. Burmood of Wood River. They had two sons: James W. and William L.
He and his wife continued to farm until 1941, when he purchased an interest in the Gloe Bros. Oil Company (later Wood River Oil Company). He retired in 1970.
In February of 1979, he passed away at the age of 82. Although not particularly active in community affairs, he was a highly respected farmer and businessman.