Stanley W. Olson, age 82 of Blanchardville, died on Monday morning, February 8, 2010 at the Meriter Hospital in Madison. He was born on August 24, 1927 in York Township, Green County, Wisconsin to Clifford and Zola (Hale) Olson. He grew up on the family farm in rural Blanchardville and attended the Loyalty rural school, and graduated from the Blanchardville High School as salutatorian in 1945.
Stanley farmed with his dad following high school. He was married on June 26, 1949 to Betty Treloar in the Blanchardville Lutheran Church. They lived on the family farm and took over running it in January of 1952. In addition to the farm, Stanley worked for Pope Logging, worked on marine and other small motors with Sylvanus Strommen, did mechanic work at Engstad Chevrolet, and then worked at the First National Bank of Blanchardville. Stanley and Betty continued farming the family farm until 1964 when they built a home in Blanchardville and moved there for the remainder of their married life. He also worked as a salesman with Crandall's Tire in Monroe, and was manager of the cut cheese department at Swiss Colony, having been with them for 20 years. After Stanley's working years Stanley and Betty loved traveling, especially visiting their children who lived all over the US and Norway and England. He was a member of the Blanchardville Lutheran Church where he taught Sunday School and held various offices; the Argyle Masonic Lodge where he was a 50 year member; the Eastern Star where he was also a 50 year member; the Loyalty School Board; the Blanchardville School Board; was a past member of the Blanchardville Lion's Club and the former Blanchardville Businessmen's Association; was active in Green County political events; and was active in the Green County Ag Chest. He was an avid bowler and golfer, loved fishing, loved waterskiing even though he couldn't swim, loved hunting up until last year, and really loved baseball as his favorite sport. Stanley and Betty have been part of a card club with the same people for over 60 years.
Stanley is survived by his wife, Betty Olson of Blanchardville; six children, Shelley (Daryl) Barth of Jacksonville, FL, Stacey Strempke of Grapevine, TX, Stewart (Clare) Olson of London, England, Spencer Olson of Blanchardville, Scott (Laurie Hefty) Olson of Parker, CO, Stanton (Dena) Olson of Kansas City, MO; one sister, Virginia (Lloyd) Friske of Argyle, twelve grandchildren; Andrea, Sara, Kari, Jason, Justin, Brian, Erik, Zachary, Nathanial, Andrew, Jason, Amy; ten great-grandchildren with one on the way; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 11, 2010 at the Blanchardville Lutheran Church in Blanchardville. Rev. Mark Gruner of the Pecatonica Lutheran Parish will officiate. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery in Blanchardville. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Wednesday evening, February 10, 2010 at the Saether Funeral Home in Blanchardville with a Masonic service at 8 p.m. Online memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.saetherfuneralhome.com.
Stanley farmed with his dad following high school. He was married on June 26, 1949 to Betty Treloar in the Blanchardville Lutheran Church. They lived on the family farm and took over running it in January of 1952. In addition to the farm, Stanley worked for Pope Logging, worked on marine and other small motors with Sylvanus Strommen, did mechanic work at Engstad Chevrolet, and then worked at the First National Bank of Blanchardville. Stanley and Betty continued farming the family farm until 1964 when they built a home in Blanchardville and moved there for the remainder of their married life. He also worked as a salesman with Crandall's Tire in Monroe, and was manager of the cut cheese department at Swiss Colony, having been with them for 20 years. After Stanley's working years Stanley and Betty loved traveling, especially visiting their children who lived all over the US and Norway and England. He was a member of the Blanchardville Lutheran Church where he taught Sunday School and held various offices; the Argyle Masonic Lodge where he was a 50 year member; the Eastern Star where he was also a 50 year member; the Loyalty School Board; the Blanchardville School Board; was a past member of the Blanchardville Lion's Club and the former Blanchardville Businessmen's Association; was active in Green County political events; and was active in the Green County Ag Chest. He was an avid bowler and golfer, loved fishing, loved waterskiing even though he couldn't swim, loved hunting up until last year, and really loved baseball as his favorite sport. Stanley and Betty have been part of a card club with the same people for over 60 years.
Stanley is survived by his wife, Betty Olson of Blanchardville; six children, Shelley (Daryl) Barth of Jacksonville, FL, Stacey Strempke of Grapevine, TX, Stewart (Clare) Olson of London, England, Spencer Olson of Blanchardville, Scott (Laurie Hefty) Olson of Parker, CO, Stanton (Dena) Olson of Kansas City, MO; one sister, Virginia (Lloyd) Friske of Argyle, twelve grandchildren; Andrea, Sara, Kari, Jason, Justin, Brian, Erik, Zachary, Nathanial, Andrew, Jason, Amy; ten great-grandchildren with one on the way; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 11, 2010 at the Blanchardville Lutheran Church in Blanchardville. Rev. Mark Gruner of the Pecatonica Lutheran Parish will officiate. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery in Blanchardville. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Wednesday evening, February 10, 2010 at the Saether Funeral Home in Blanchardville with a Masonic service at 8 p.m. Online memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.saetherfuneralhome.com.