Olson was 66.

Egli said he was born on March 9, 1953, in Pocahontas.

Olson owned The Kaleidoscope Factory in Pocahontas. He moved the business there in 2014 after first having it in Pomeroy from 2004.

Olson had been part owner of Worthington-Olson where he worked primarily on software. The health insurance company was located in Colorado.

-Messenger file photo
Leonard Olson works on a frog puzzle at the Kaleidoscope Factory in Pomeroy. Kaleidoscopes, wood puzzles and toys were his mainstay products. Olson later moved his shop to Pocahontas. Olson died Tuesday morning.

Olson sold his interest in the company and, according to the brochure he wrote and gave out at the store, “Made this my full time occupation,” in 2006.

His first kaleidoscope shop, called the Palmer Kaleidoscope and Gavel Manufacturing Company, was located in Palmer.

Egli remembers her brother fondly.

“He always had a new dance going,” she said. “He always had a project going.”

His latest was a fundraiser to install a bike rack in front of the Rialto Theatre in downtown Pocahontas.

“He had the fliers ready and he’d already raised about $1,000,” she said. “They needed $5,000. It was his last passion, he wanted that done.”

Olson loved to cook and wrote a diabetic cookbook.

“He loved to cook,” Egli said. “Every Sunday he would always make me breakfast.”

Olson loved spending time with his nephews, Shane, Brian and John Hessenius, she said.

They have many fond memories of him too.

“Fireworks trips, making hieroglyphics, using fruit and popcorn for Christmas decorations, not letting us shoot pheasants in the front yard,” she said.

He also built them a tree house.

Pocahontas Mayor Dick Gruber said tourist groups used to stop at The Kaleidoscope Factory.

”Leonard was quite a fellow here,” Gruber said. ”In his whimsical ways, he was always trying new things. He promoted the city of Pocahontas, which I appreciated very much.”

”He did bring some homemade talents to Main Street,” Gruber added.

Olson often enjoyed a few beers and a show at Byron’s Bar in Pomeroy.

Before his move to Pocahontas, he was frequently the ticket taker at the door.

According to owner Byron Stuart, he had more often than not made them.

“He used to make my tickets for me,” Stuart said.

The two both grew up in the area.

“We grew up about 10 miles apart,” he said. “We never knew each other, he went to Poky, I went to Pomeroy. We met later in life.”

Stuart remembers him fondly.

“He was the smartest man I ever knew,” he said. “He was the only MENSA member I knew.”

Olson is also remembered for promoting the arts in Pomeroy and after his move, in Pocahontas.

“He started the Second Saturday event,” Stuart said. “Every second Saturday was dedicated to the arts. It was why I switched my street dance to the second Saturday in July.”

Olson was widely known for his carefully crafted kaleidoscope. He worked with a variety of woods and other material including PVC pipes.

“I have about four of them,” Stuart said.

Olson was also well known for his often quirky sense of humor.

Stuart has a handmade sign from one of his “inspired” events.

“In 2011 he held the Pomeroy Intragalactic Philosophers Convention and made signs for us,” Stuart said.

Olson is survived by his girlfriend, Patty Mefford, another sister, Lois Hessenius, of Le Mars, as well as his nephews.

Egli said the family is planning a celebration of life for Olson tentatively on his birthday, March 9. It will be held at the Rialto Theatre.

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