Olson Family Obituaries of Clark County Wisconsin

Olson, Alma (12 July 1874 – 26 Sept. 1951)
Source: Marathon County Register (Unity, Clark County, Wis.) Friday, 5 Oct. 1951

* Mrs. Martin Olson, Thorp, died at Victory Memorial Hospital in Stanley Monday evening, September 26 at 10 o’clock at the age of 77 years, 2 months and 14 days. She had been a patient there for the past four months, after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage. She was the daughter of the Axel Johnson’s and was born in Mellerud, Sweden. At the age of twenty-five years she came to America and resided in Brooklyn, N.Y.

On Christmas Eve, 1904, she was married to Martin Olson and they resided in New York until 1919 when they moved to Unity and engaged in farming.

In 1936 they moved to Thorp where they have since resided.

She is survived by her husband and one son, Arthur, of Thorp, two grandchildren, Robert, who is serving in the U.S. Air Force in Wichita Falls, Texas and Gerald of Thorp. Two daughters died in infancy. Surviving are also one sister, Mrs. Anna Dalin of Mellerud, Sweden, and three brothers, Eric Johnson, Unity; Carl of Stetsonville and Andrew of New York.

Funeral services were conducted at the Thorp Funeral Home and at Trinity Lutheran Church, Unity, on Saturday, September 29th with the Rev. M. K. Zimmerman officiating. She was buried in the Lutheran cemetery in Unity.

Leif Larson, Wm. J. Klouda, Arthur Kenney, Frank Kinas, Kenneth Lingquist and Walter Koltis acted as pallbearers.

Flowers were carried by Mrs. Roy Justman, Mrs. A. W. Justman, Mrs. Art Edblom, Mrs. Ella Stark, Mrs. Mary Wieland, and Mrs. John Johnson.

Relatives from Minneapolis, Stetsonville, Waupaca, Owen, Thorp and Colby attended the funeral.

The Choir sang “Face To Face” and “Safe In The Arms of Jesus” accompanied by Mrs. Walter Wieland on the organ.

*** Note: Mrs. Olson’s first name is from a Trinity Lutheran – Unity cemetery index.

Olson, Anton (2 Jan. 1875 – 24 Jan. 1952)
Source: Abbotsford Tribune (Abbotsford, Clark County, Wis.) Thursday, 7 Feb. 1952

* Funeral services for Anton Olson, 77, who died at a Wausau hospital Jan. 24, were held Sunday afternoon at the Lulloff Funeral Home, Colby. The Rev. F. C. Smith officiated and burial was made on the family lot in the Lutheran cemetery at Curtiss.

Mr. Olson was born Jan. 2, 1875, at Curtiss and grew to manhood in the town of Mayville. The last 10 years he made his home with his nephew and niece, Mr. and Mrs. Chet Leu, Abbotsford. He was unmarried. He had been admitted to a hospital two weeks before his death.

Mr. Olson is survived by three brothers, Olaf, Neillsville; Morris, Appleton; and Fred, Colby. Four brothers preceded him in death.

Olson, Edward (1872 – 2 May 1931)
Source: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Clark County, Wis.) Thursday, 7 May 1931

* Ed. Olson, age fifty-nine, a retired Soo Line engineer and a resident of Curtiss since 1918, was seized with a heart attack while in Abbotsford and fell dead on the street in that village last Saturday afternoon.

Olson had motored Saturday afternoon to Abbotsford from his farm three miles north of Curtiss to attend to business matters, and met James Heida, who inquired concerning his health. Continuing along the street, he dropped without warning, Dr. J. A. Rilling, Abbotsford dentist, was the first to reach him, and found that his heart had ceased beating.

He was carried to the A. J. Meyers undertaking establishment and Dr. R. R. Jandrain, local physician, was called, who pronounced death due to heart failure. The county coroner, Dr. Horace Frank, was notified, but did not consider an inquest necessary.

Mr. Olson grew to manhood in the vicinity of Abbotsford, and was in the employ of the Soo Line for a number of years prior to 1928, when he was obliged to retire because of heart trouble. He was married in 1897 to Miss Freda Kluve of Abbotsford, who survives him, together with their two children, Eugene, in charge of the home farm since 1918, and Miss Margaret Olson, a stenographer in Eau Claire.

He was prominent in Masonic circles, and was affiliated with the Abbotsford Blue Lodge and the Chippewa Falls commandery, Knights Templars, as well as the Abbotsford Eastern Star chapter and the Brotherhood of Railway Engineers.

Mr. Olson was also prominent in Farmers’ Union activities, and was elected a member of the state board of directors at the meeting held last fall in Menomonie.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon in the Abbotsford Presbyterian church with the Abbotsford lodge, F. & A.M., in charge and the pastor of the Presbyterian church officiating. Internment took place in the Colby cemetery.

*** Note: Mr. Olson’s year of birth is from a Colby Memorial Cemetery index.

Olson, Esther (26 Mar. 1900 – 4 Jan. 1933)
Source: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Clark County, Wis.) Thursday, 12 Jan. 1933

* Funeral services for Mrs. Esther Olson, age thirty-two, who died Wednesday night, January 4th, at the hospital at Marshfield of pneumonia, were held at the Immanuel Reformed church in Colby last Saturday afternoon at 2:00 P.M., Rev. H. K. Hartmann officiating, and internment was made in the Colby cemetery.

The pall bearers were Melvin Ostenson, August Gosse, Alvin Schmidt, Fred Wolk, Henry Domer and Clarence Gosse. Members of the Abbotsford Legion Auxiliary had charge of the floral offerings.

Mrs. Olson, whose maiden name was Esther Gosse, was born at Sheboygan on March 26th, 1900. She was married to Fred Olson on Septmeber 14, 1922. Mr. Olson was electrocuted about two years ago while working on the Northern States Power Company’s high line. Mrs. Olson was a member of the D.A.R. chapter at Marshfield and the American Legion auxiliary at Abbotsford.

Surviving are three children – Jerome, 10; Janet, 5; Earl, 4; her mother, Mrs. Carl Huebner, Sheboygan; and two sisters, Mrs. Henry Ortmeier and Mrs. Richard Neuhaus, Colby.

The out of town people here for the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Carl H. Huebner, Herman Schuelke and Arthur Voight of Sheboygan, Wis., and numerous friends from Marshfield and other surrounding communities.

Mrs. Olson’s sickness was of but brief duration; about a week. She was of an affectionate disposition, bright and winning in her ways, so that friendship’s circle was to her a large one which the large funeral procession testified.

Olson, Fred W. (13 June 1895 – 15 Sept. 1930)
Source: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Clark County, Wis.) Thursday, 18 Sept. 1930

* Fred Olson, age thirty-five, was instantly killed last Monday afternoon from an electric jolt while at work for the Northern States Power Company near Dorchester. Mr. Olson at the time, was working with wires on top of a pole at the Emil Laabs place near Dorchester. The power had been shut off but it arched back and Olson got a jolt which threw him onto a transformer platform from where he fell to the ground. His head was bumped badly and physicians are somewhat uncertain whether his death was caused from the electric shock or from the fall.

Funeral services will be held this Thursday afternoon at 1:30 at the house and at 2:00 at the Reformed church in Colby, Rev. H. K. Hartmann officiating. The deceased belonged to the Abbotsford Legion post and members of that post will accompany the remains to the cemetery and give him a military burial. Internment will take place at the Colby cemetery.

The deceased, a son of the late Ole Olson, who died four years ago, was born in Brillion, Wis., and came to this locality eleven years ago and managed the old Fred Gosse farm until two years ago when he moved to Abbotsford where he worked at the Grengs garage until last spring when he began working for the Northern States Power Co. He was married to Esther Gosse, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Gosse, on Sept. 14th, 1921. Three children were born to this union, namely: Jerome, age seven; Jeanette, age five; and Carl, age three. Besides his wife and children, his sudden death is also mourned by two sisters, Mrs. Herman Mordell of Greenwood and Mrs. Oscar Schork of Milwaukee.

The deceased was a World War veteran and served in the thirty-second division for two years during the *** Note: The rest of this article is cut off and not available at the time of transcription.

Olson, Frieda (20 Nov. 1878 – 8 Jan. 1952)
Source: Abbotsford Tribune (Abbotsford, Clark County, Wis.) Thursday, 1 Jan. 1952

* Funeral services for Mrs. Ed Olson, about 73, will be held Friday afternoon at the farm home near Curtiss, and at 2:00 o’clock at the Lutheran church at Curtiss, with internment in the Colby cemetery. Mrs. Olson, who had been in poor health, died at Victory hospital, Stanley, Monday afternoon.

The Olsons lived in Abbotsford a number of years. Mr. Olson, who preceded his wife in death, was employed on the Soo Line.

She is survived by her son, Gene, on the farm, and a daughter, Mrs. Margaret Keller, Madison.

Olson, Henry (15 June 1919 – 2 Nov. 1951)
Source: Marathon County Register (Unity, Marathon County, Wis.) Friday, 9 Nov. 1951

* Funeral services were held at Loyal Tuesday afternoon at 2 P.M. in the Methodist Church with the Rev. Holmes officiating, for Henry Olson, 32, Unity, who was killed instantly Friday morning in Marshfield when his car collided with a passenger train at the Northwester railroad crossing.

Mr. Olson, father of five children, the oldest 5 years old, died of chest injuries and a broken neck suffered when the impact hurled him against the steering wheel of his car. He was driving south on Central avenue in Marshfield at 5:50 A.M. enroute to work at the Service Bakery when the accident happened.

Henry Olson was born June 15, 1919, in Janesville. Believed to have been an orphan, he came to Loyal when he was 15 years old to make his home with the Calvin Prior family and also lived with the Ray Prior family at Loyal for a time.

When he was 19 he went to the west coast and later enlisted in the army August 8, 1938, serving for seven years. He was in Honolulu when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and also served in the Aleutions and in Germany.

After his discharge from the army he returned to Loyal and married the former Dorothy Kanneberg, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Al Kanneberg of Loyal, in November, 1945.

Survivors include his wife and five children, Wayne, 5, Larry, 4, twins, Sandra and Suzanne, 3, and Lilli Marlene, 2.

Olson, J. A. Rev. (26 Oct. 1888 – 24 Nov. 1949)
Source: Abbotsford Tribune (Abbotsford, Clark County, Wis.) Thursday, 25 Nov. 1949

* Funeral services were held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Unity, for the Rev. J. A. Olson, who died at 2:45 a.m. Thanksgiving Day at Spencer of a heart attack suffered in his car. He was enroute to Marshfield to meet his son, Paul, who was returning home from Minneapolis. Mrs. Olson was with her husband at the time.

Rev. Olson had served as pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church since July 1927, except for 3 ½ years when he served as pastor at Wadena, Minn. He returned to Unity in December 1945.

The Rev. Mr. Olson was born October 26, 1888, at Crystal Falls, Mich. As a youth he moved with his family to Norway, Mich., and later worked as a sampler in the iron mines in the northern part of the state.

He was married to Esther Carlson October 25, 1917 at Marquette, Mich., and then served with the armed forces in World War I. He attended college and seminary at Rock Island, Ill., and was ordained at Omaha, Neb., in June 1927, arriving in Unity the next month.

He served as chaplain of the American Legion Post at Unity for many years and was a member of the Clark County Lutheran Pastor Association.

Surviving are his wife and four children, Bartlett, Milwaukee; Mrs. Marvin (Isabelle) Steinke, Wisconsin Rapids; and Paul and Sharon at home. There are three grandchildren.

Brothers and sisters surviving include Arthur and Mrs. Hilma Thoren, Negaunee, Mich., and Bernie, Beaver Dam.

Rev. Theodore Johnstone of Ironwood, Michigan officiated at the funeral services and burial was made in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers were Walter Wieland, August Thurs, Seymour Gustafson, Alfred Johnson, Gilbert Wiedenhoeft and Lester Ewert.

Honorary pallbearers were Frank Meyer, Henry Binning, Clarence and Arthur Edblom, and A. W. and Roy Justman.

The church choir sang “No Tears in the Sky,” “For All Thy Saints O Lord” and “My Faith Looks Up To Thee.” Mrs. Henry Binning was the organ accompanist.

Members of the American Legion Post attended.

Attending from out of town were Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Olson and Mrs. Titus Thoren, Negaunee, Mich.; Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Steinke, Wisconsin Rapids; Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett Olson and son Allen, Milwaukee; Paul Olson, Minneapolis; Bernie Olson, Beaver Dam; Gust Carlson, Chicago; Martin Hellestead and Mr. and Mrs. Delmar Schrier, Madison; George Carlson and Mrs. Norman Helterhoff, West Allis.

In addition there were a host of friends from Wisconsin Rapids, Marshfield, Ogema, Greenwood, Prentice and Westboro.

Pastors present included the Rev. Leslie Larson, Wisconsin Rapids; the Rev. Chester Johnson, Rhinelander; the Rev. Charles Odahl, Merrill; the Rev. John J. Langholz, Loyal; and the Rev. Theodore Nelson, Greenwood.

Card of Thanks

We wish to express our sincere thanks to our friends, neighbors and relatives for their kindness and sympathy extended to us during our recent bereavement, the death of our beloved husband and father, Rev. J. A. Olson. Especially do we wish to thank the pastors for their comforting words, those who donated the use of their cars, the pallbearers, the singers, the organist, church and community organizations, and all others who assisted in any way.
Mrs. J. A. Olson and family

Source: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Clark County, Wis.) Thursday, 1 Dec. 1949

* Rev. J. A. Olson of Unity died at 2:35 A.M. Thanksgiving Day at the age of 61 years, a heart attack being the cause of his death. He was on his way to Marshfield to meet his son, Paul, who was returning home from Minneapolis. He was accompanied by his wife at the time. Funeral services were held at the Trinity Lutheran church in Unity Sunday afternoon, Rev. Theodore Johnstone of Ironwood, Mich., officiating, and burial was made in the parish cemetery. Pall bearers were Walter Wieland, August Thurs, Seymour Gustafson, Alfred Johnson, Gilbert Wiedenhoeft, and Lester Ewert. Honorary pall bearers were Frank Meyer, Henry Binning, Clarence and Arthur Edblom and A. W. and Roy Justman.

The deceased was born October 26, 1888, at Crystal Falls, Michigan. When a youth, he moved to Norway, Mich., with his parents and, later, worked at a sampler in the iron mines in the northern part of that state. He was married to Esther Carlson October 25, 1917, at Marquette, Mich., and then served with the armed forces in World War I. He attended college and seminary at Rock Island, Mich., and was ordained at Omaha, Neb., in June 1927, arriving in Unity the next month. He served as pastor of Trinity Lutheran church since that time except for three and one-half years when he served as pastor at Wadena, Minn. He served as chaplain of the American Legion post at Unity for many years and was a member of the Clark County Lutheran Pastors Association.

Surviving are his wife and four children – Bartlett of Milwaukee, Mrs. Marvin (Isabelle) Steinke of Wisconsin Rapids and Paul and Sharon at home. Brothers and sisters living are Arthur and Mrs. Hilma Thorsen of Negunee, Mich., and Bernie of Beaver Dam.

Olson, John P. (4 Feb. 1860 – 17 Dec. 1934)
Source: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Clark County, Wis.) Thursday, 20 Dec. 1934

* John P. Olson, age 74, prominent Abbotsford citizen and village assessor, died of bronchial pneumonia on Monday morning. Funeral services will be held this Thursday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. from the home and at 3:00 p.m. at the Christ Lutheran church, Rev. L. Brandt officiating, and internment will be made in the Abbotsford cemetery.

The deceased was born in Port Washington Feb. 4th, 1860, and was married in 1890 to Gustis Tesmer, Colby, who survives him. He made his home in Abbotsford for the past forty-six years, Besides his widow, he is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Charles Emling of Granton, Mrs. Edward Feit of Unity and Miss Laura, at home.

Source: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Clark County, Wis.) Thursday, 27 Dec. 1934

Funeral services for John P. Olson, age 74, whose death was reported last week, were held last week Thursday at the home and at Christ Lutheran church, the Rev. J. Brandt officiating. Pallbearers were Nick Wibben, Fred Kramer, Fred Lenhardt, Edwin Hoeft, Gust Hoeft and Clarence Gosse. The deceased is survived by his widow and three daughters, Mrs. Charles Emling of Granton, Mrs. Edward Feit of Unity and Miss Laura Olson at home. Those from a distance who attended the funeral were Marton Larson, William Paape and Lawrence Paape, of Milwaukee, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Larson, Mrs. Anna Larson and Mrs. William Niederkam of Port Washington, Mrs. Henry Montoba of Cedarburg, Mrs. Joel Mittermiller, Benjamin Wessiuk, Arthur Wessiuk and Miss Viola Doleza of Marshfield, Charles Emling and family of Granton, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Fricke and Mrs. Minnie Fricke of Owen, and Mr. and Mrs. Herman Tessmer of Neillsville.

Joseph L. Olson (16 May 1922 – 30 Oct. 2007)
Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood County, Wis.) Saturday, 3 Nov. 2007; contributed by Ron Flink & transcribed by Marla Zwakman

UNITY -- Joseph L. Olson, 85, of 360 W. Clark St., Unity, died Oct. 30, 2007, at Saint Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, 2007, at Colby United Methodist Church. Pastor Mara Pehkonen will officiate. Private interment will be in the Town of Brighton Cemetery, Unity.

Visitation with the family will be from 10 a.m. until service time Nov. 10 at the church.

The Cremation Society of Wisconsin assisted the family with the arrangements.

Joseph was born May 16, 1922, in Tomahawk to Peter M. and Caroline M. (Johnson) Olson. He was a graduate of Owen High School. He and Edna A. (Lube) Luther exchanged wedding vows on Sept. 6, 1950, in Minneapolis.

After high school, he worked as a milk hauler and logger for his brother John Olson of Unity. He was inducted into the U.S. Army on Oct. 24, 1942. He served with Company A, 6th Armored Infantry, as a light machine gunner in Tunisia, Naples, Rome and Anzio. He was discharged on Nov. 17, 1945. He returned to Unity following his discharge and was employed as a truck driver for St. Croix Rods and Reels. He retired as shipping foreman from Packaging Corp. of America in Colby.

Joseph was a past member and officer of the Unity Fire Department, the village board and Commercial Club of Unity, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. He liked to play cards, read and be with family, neighbors and friends.

Joe was an excellent cook and a good friend. In prior years, he was an avid gardener. He spent many years as the sole caregiver to his wife, Edna, who succumbed to Alzheimer's in 2001.

Surviving are two sons, Steve (Carol) Luther, Colby, and Daniel (Barb) Olson, Eugene, Ore.; one daughter, Lori (Jim) Brodhagen, Abbotsford; 10 grandchildren, Ann (Troy) Schmitt, Matthew (Brandi) Luther, Steffanie (Steve) Murphy, Jennifer (Nate) Oscar, Justin (Vanessa) Luther, Bret (Gina) Olson, Travis Olson, Hailey (Zach) Nelson, Whitney Brodhagen and Mary Brodhagen; and seven great-grandchildren, Samuel, Alex, Henry, Eli Schmitt, Maria Luther, June Oscar and Garrett Nelson. He is further survived by his sister-in-law, Margaret Lube; and brother-in-law, John Reich.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Edna Olson, on Dec. 26, 2001; and eight brothers and sisters, Elvina Moore and Anne Odegard, both of Merrill, Lionel Olson, Chippewa, John Olson, Unity, Harold Olson, Palmyra, Clare Blumenstein, La Crosse, Kathryn Larson, Chetek, and Louise, Ashland.

Olson, Nels (15 Nov. 1865 - 20 June 1930)
Source: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Clark County, Wis.) Thursday, 3 July 1930

* Nels Olson, a prominent citizen of Abbotsford, passed on to the distant shore Monday, June 20, 1930, at the age of sixty-four years, seven months and fifteen days, old folks bronchitis being the cause of his departure. Funeral services were held at the Zion’s Lutheran church in Colby on Wednesday, July 3rd. Rev. O. H. Hoffmann officiating, and internment was made in the Colby cemetery.

The deceased was born in Oseo, Norway, and came to the United States when eighteen years of age and lived in New York until twenty-eight years ago when he came to this locality and engaged in the farming and cheesemaking business. He was married to Anna Hanson on Nov. 26, 1889, in Winnebago county to which four children were born, two of whom are still living, namely: Harry Olson of Abbotsford and Clarence Olson of Colby. He had been ailing for four years, but, lately, it seemed as if he was recovering nicely and his death was a sudden shock to his friends and relatives.

Besides his surviving sons, his death is also mourned by one brother, Ole Olson of Bessemer, Michigan, and four sisters, namely: Gena Olson, Shanno; Mrs. Julius Hanson, Shanno; Mrs. Hans Olson, Dorchester; and Mrs. John Anderson, Dorchester. Also a large number of nieces and nephews.

The pall bearers were Henry Radatzky, John Hirsch, Joe Vanderhoff, Tom Gibson, Louis Brusky and Chas. Schultz.

The flower girls were Mildred Olson, Gladys Olson, Laverna Olson, Harvey Olson, Violet Kramer, Ruth Haugen, Florence Anderson, Ila Hanson. The first four are grand children.

The deceased was a very kind and generous husband and father, a faithful member of his church and a good Christian. All who knew him were his friends and the love and esteem in which he was held was shown by the large and beautiful floral offerings.

Olson, Peter M. (1877? – 17 Feb. 1947)
Source: Marathon County Register (Unity, Marathon County, Wis.) Friday, 21 Feb. 1947

* Peter M. Olson, 70, a resident of Merrill for the past several years, passed away at the Merrill hospital Monday evening, February 17.

The deceased was born on a farm in the Town of Mayville, Clark County. He was the fourth male child born to the Olson family and the fourth male member of the family to die. His wife preceded him in death in 1924. He is survived by 8 children and 2 children preceded him in death.

Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon, February 20, at Merrill, with burial taking place at Tripoli, where he had lived and worked for many years. Those from Unity who attended the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. John Olson and Joe Olson, sons and daughter-in-law of Mr. Olson; Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Johnson and Mr. and Mrs. John Schaller.

Olson, Raymond (1909? – 2 Oct. 1949)
Source: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Clark County, Wis.) Thursday, 5 Oct. 1949

* Relatives here received word on Tuesday that Raymond Olson, age 40, of Fargo, N.D., a former resident of the town of Hull, was killed Sunday afternoon in an automobile accident in Minnesota.

Olson, who was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Julius Olson, was born and raised in the vicinity of Cherokee but made his home in North Dakota the past ten years. He was a veteran of World War II and unmarried.

The body was brought to the Lulloff Funeral Home in Colby where funeral services will be held this Thursday afternoon at 2:00 o’clock and internment will be made in the Milan cemetery.