Theron “Bud” Olson, age 82, passed away on October 19, 2021 in Greenland, NH surrounded by family. Bud was born on March 8, 1939 and graduated from Monroe High School in 1958. Bud then enlisted in the United States Air Force.
His assignments took him to 9 stateside bases and 5 overseas bases including Morocco, Thailand, and Vietnam. He was also deployed to South Africa where he was assigned to the Department of Defense Attaché at the United States Embassy in Pretoria. While there, he played softball on the South African Police team. He was recognized as an outstanding athlete and was invited to participate in the African Olympics by the South African government.
Bud received many awards and medals during his service, including the Joint Service Commendation Medal awarded by the Dept. of Defense for meritorious service in the Defense Attaché Office in Pretoria, South Africa.
Other accomplishments include earning his private pilot’s license and his Black Belt in both Judo and Tae Kwon Do.
Bud retired as a Master Sergeant after 22 proud years of service in the United States Air Force.
Bud survived a motorcycle accident where he suffered brain damage and was later diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.
Bud was a member of Wiota Lutheran Church, The American Legion, Vietnam Vets, and AA (where he proudly received his 35-year medallion this past July 2021). Bud loved his AA family.
Bud is survived by his daughter Tracy (Kevin) Niland of Greenland, NH, son Kenneth (Ashley) Olson of Ashford, AL, granddaughter Taylor Niland and her fiancé Joseph Dewey of Washington, DC, grandchildren Savannah and Cooper Olson of Ashford, AL, ex-wife Joan Huizinga of Portsmouth, NH, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Bud was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Elsie (Komprood) Olson, his sisters and their husbands, Charlotte and Harold Johnson and Marabelle and Ronald Johnson, and his niece and her husband, Gloria and Robert Montgomery.
Visitations will be held on Friday, October 29th, from 4-7 pm, at SHRINER HAGER GOHLKE FUNERAL HOME in Monroe, WI, as well as the Wiota Lutheran Church in Wiota, WI on Saturday, October 30th from 10-11 am. The funeral service will follow, beginning at 11 am. Afterwards, the burial will be at the West Wiota Cemetery in Wiota, WI. There will be a luncheon at the Wiota Lutheran Church immediately following the burial.
