Obituary: Marilyn J. Olson

Marilyn J. Olson, of Waukesha, died on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013, at Waukesha Memorial Hospital at the age of 80 years.

She was born in Oakwood, OK, on Jan. 23, 1933 the daughter of Rueben and Thelma (nee Ruppert) Irving.  Marilyn graduated high school in 1951 in Oklahoma and then attended San Jose State University.  On Feb. 18, 1956, she married Herbert Olson; he preceded her in death on Jan. 2, 1996.

Together they moved to Waukesha and since 1956 she has been a member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church where she served on the church council and ran a Bible study. Marilyn worked as a dental assistant, for Stern’s Department Store and then at Olson’s Ace Hardware as a bookkeeper.  She was a dedicated volunteer and was named the Waukesha County Woman of Distinction by the YWCA.  She served on the Board of Directors for the Salvation Army, volunteered at the Waukesha Service Club, was an active sponsor at Al-Anon, a supporter of the Wisconsin SonRise Via de Cristo and was a volunteer for hospice care at Roger’s Memorial Hospital.

Marilyn was educated on dream interpretation in Switzerland and then taught dream interpretation at WCTC and held dream workshops in her home.  She was an avid golfer, golfing in a league at Songbird Hills Golf Club until 2008 and she also golfed in many leagues at Merrills Hills Country Club. Marilyn also enjoyed hosting book studies and was a Reiki master.

She will be greatly missed by her children Sherry (Robin) Casper of Mukwonago, Art (Pam) Olson of Waukesha, Allen (Ellen) Olson of Merton and Jim (Jill) Olson of Oconomowoc, her fiancé Michael Poetzel of Waukesha, twelve grandchildren: Kristan (Todd) Hughes of Hartford, Amanda Casper of Mukwonago, Jacob Olson of St. Louis, Jordon Olson of Waukesha, Luke Brandon of Texas, Aaron Brown of Pewaukee, Allison Olson of Madison, Madeline Olson of Okauchee, Margaret and Peter Olson both of Merton and Sam and Molly Olson both of Oconomowoc and three great-grandchildren: Brooklyn Knurr of Mukwonago and Alyssa and Mason Hughes of Hartford.  She is further survived by her brothers Rupert (Madalyn) Irving of Oklahoma and Clyde (Diana) Irving of Oklahoma along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  In addition to her husband Herbert and her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters: Ernestine (Kenneth) Little and Elizabeth Irving and her brother Mac Irving.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Dr. Jason Lauer and Dr. Robert Schellinger and their staffs as well as the doctors and staff at Moreland Family Medicine.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, from 4 p.m. until the 6 p.m. funeral service at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 300 Carroll Street, Waukesha, WI 53186.  Reverend Kathy J. Boadwine will preside.  If desired, memorials are appreciated to St. Luke’s Lutheran Church or to HAWS, 701 Northview Rd., Waukesha, WI 53188. is honored to serve the family.

For further information, please call the funeral home at 262-547-4035 or visit our website at  www.waukeshafunerals.com for directions or to leave the family an online tribute message.