John M. Olson

John Martin Olson

John Martin Olson entered God’s eternally green and beautiful garden at age 83 following cardiac arrest. He was active to the end, having played indoor soccer, exercised at the gym, and worked in his yard the previous week.

Caring husband of Barbara (nee Mlot) for more than 59 years. Loving father of John Arnold Olson and Catherine (James) Crabb. Proud papa of granddaughters Kayla and Stephanie whom he cherished deeply. Dear brother of Ruth Olson England and recently deceased Margaret Olson McDonough; brother-in-law of William McDonough and Randall (Nancy) Mlot; uncle of Bill, Beth, Shane and Erin; cousin of Mary Jane Olson McKenzie and Gretchen Kleinhans (Tom) Bonner. Predeceased by his parents Arnold Olson and Marie Kleinhans Olson.

John was a graduate of Wauwatosa High School, Lincoln College in Illinois, Marquette University – Bachelor of Science in Personnel and Production Management, and Loyola University of Chicago – Master of Business Administration in Finance.

For most of his career John worked in personnel, human resources, purchasing and industrial relations with Rexnord operations in Milwaukee, Downers Grove, IL, Chicago and Detroit; with Josam Manufacturing (a Rexnord spinoff) in Milwaukee throughout Chapter 11 proceedings; and with Blackhawk Leather in Milwaukee until it closed.  For eight years, he conducted evening seminars on supervisor training and management development for an association of manufacturing companies.  At age 62, he received certification as an Enrolled Agent of the Internal Revenue Service and, for more than a decade, worked at local accounting firms as a tax preparer for individuals and small businesses.  John also worked part time at the Boston Store for 14 years until it closed in 2018.

To John, family was the most important part of his life. When family visited, he joined in card and ping-pong tournaments and watched performances of Kayla’s and Stephanie’s band concerts and volleyball games. He traveled to see them in their high school marching band and a school musical.

John enjoyed slalom water skiing and golfing; he played indoor and outdoor soccer for over 40 years.  He professionally refinished 14 pieces of furniture from relatives including a library table, a roll-top desk and a tea cart. Throughout four decades John developed a beautiful yard at his home where, for a recent Father’s Day, we counted what he had planted: 10 deciduous trees, 62 evergreen trees, 80 evergreen bushes, 125 Hosta, and over 200 shrubs and small plants. He also laid hundreds of feet of rock borders, laid a brick patio and walkway, and built a rock wall and stone steps.

The Mass of Christian Burial for John was held at St. Luke Catholic Church in Brookfield. The Committal Service for John will be at Forest Home Cemetery in Marinette, Wisconsin, among his relatives from Norway: grandmother, grandfather, great-grandmother, and great uncle.

St. Augustine wrote, “You have made us for yourself, O God, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”  John’s absence leaves a void in our hearts, but echoes of abundant memories will overflow that space.

Memorials are greatly appreciated to a charity of your choice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRINT