Obit: Olson, Wayne E. (1916 - 2001)

Contact: Crystal Wendt

Surnames: Olson, Ley, Lulloff, Leu, Gish, Schuette, Klempke, Wllman, Lange, Rau

----Sources: Scrap book one: by Elsa Lange Hardrath & Dorthaleen Edwards Hardrath

Contributed by Halbert "Bud" Hardrath

Olson, Wayne E. (17 Jan. 1916 - 10 March 2001)

Curtiss- Wayne E. Olson, 85, Curtiss, died Saturday, March 10, 2001, at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Curtiss, Wis. The Rev. Lauren Ley will officiate.

Burial will be in the Pine Hill Cemetery with military rites conducted by Colby VFW Post 2227. Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Jeff Lulloff, Nathan Olson, Eric Olson, Ryan Olson, Adam Olson and a nephew, Duane "Butch" Leu.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Maurina Funeral Home in Abbotsford and again from 10:30 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the church in Curtiss, Wis.

Wayne was born Jan. 17, 1916, at home in the town of Mayville to Otto and Emma (nee Gish) Olson. He attended school in Curtiss and graduated from Owen High School in 1934. Wayne and Irene Schuette were married Aug. 31, 1946, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in the town of Green Grove.

Wayne grew up on the farm homesteaded by his grandfather from Norway. He was proud that the farm has been in his family since it was homesteaded. He loved to play baseball and played it with his father and his children. He was a 50-year member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and its dart ball team.

Wayne was a veteran of World War II, serving in the United States Army 87th Field Artillery Battalion 2D Battery. He served from 1942 to 1945 in the Pacific Theatre, and Phillipines, and Australia. He received the Military Service Award, American Theatre Service Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Theatre Service Ribbon, Phillipine Liberation Service Ribbon and Good Conduct Medal.

Wayne is survived by his children, Rev. Dennis (Mary) Olson of Wisconsin Rapids, Diane (Dennis) Lulloff of Owen, Donna (Larry Klempke) Wellman of Colby, Allan (Elaine) Olson of Curtiss, Robert (Marcy) Olson of LaCrosse, Elizabeth Lange of Abbotsford and Christine (Dan) Rau of Dorchester; and 24 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; Irene, on Sept. 8, 1968; one brother, Mewin "Boots" Olson; and one sister, Elda Leu.