JAMES W. OLSON
James W. Olson, 91, of Eau Claire, WI died Thursday, November 10, 2016 at Dove West, peacefully with family at his side.
Jim was born on January 31, 1925, to Andrew and Lucille Olson in Hutchinson, MN. At age 3, after his mother’s death, his aunt and uncle, Jennie and Carl Nyberg became his foster parents.
After graduating from Harding High School in St. Paul, MN, he was employed as an airplane mechanic by Northwest Airlines, working on B17’s and B 24’s. During World War II he served in Korea and also in Okinawa and the occupation of Japan. After the war he graduated from the University of Minnesota where he met Margaret Ayer whom he married on March 19,1949. Shortly after that he was recalled to service in the Korean War, where he earned a purple heart and a bronze star.
He taught junior high school English in Beloit, WI for nine years. During this time Jim and Margaret were blessed with three children, Richard, Elizabeth, and Ann. He came to Eau Claire in 1959 to teach at the Campus School at Wisconsin State College-Eau Claire. He then got a doctorate in English Education from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, returning to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire to teach English for the next 30 years.
His retirement was enriched by civic service where he served on the Eau Claire Parks and Waterways Commission and was a valued contributor at City Council and School Board meetings. He worked on environmental issues and was active in the Sierra Club as well as volunteering at the Department of Natural Resources on various projects.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Margaret Olson, son Richard Olson of Colfax, WI, daughters Elizabeth Olson of Las Vegas, NV and Ann (Dan) Shuda of Eau Claire, WI; grandchildren Christopher (Chrisetta) Olson currently in Germany, Shaun (Heather) Olson of Colfax, WI, Kathleen Frederick-Schector of Minneapolis, MN, Emma (Jerod) Aikman of Whitestown, IN, Hamilton Mee and Harrison (Christina) Mee of Las Vegas, NV, Bethany (Steve) Kolve of Eau Claire, WI, Allison (Matthew) Bents of Madison, WI, Jacob Shuda of Chicago, IL, and Rosemary Shuda of Eau Claire, WI; great grandchildren Kyana and Cameron Olson, Kaylynn, Addisyn, and Aynsley Olson, Ariana and Lyla Aikman, Gabriella Mee, Maleah and Roosevelt Mee, Britt Kolve, Sam Callerman, Poppy and Maurice Bents.
He was proceeded in death by his brothers Richard, William, and Andy, and sister Marilyn; and daughter-in-law, Susan Olson.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Visiting Angels, Syverson Home, Dove West and St. Joseph Hospice for their kind and loving care. Thanks also to Mack Hastings for his companionship to Jim during his final year.
A visitation for Jim was held at the French Press restaurant, 2823 London Road on Monday, November 21 .
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Beaver Creek Reserve 81 County Rd. K, Fall Creek, WI 54742 or the organization of your choice.