Obit: Olson, Mark M. (1961 – 2008)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Olson, Krpata, Newman, Bakken

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) November 12, 2008

Olson, Mark M. (5 June 1961 – 10 November 2008)

Mark M. Olson, 47, of Black River Falls died unexpectedly Monday, Nov. 10, 2008, in the Black River Memorial Hospital.

Mark was born in Black River Falls, June 5, 1961, to Merlin and Helen (Krpata) Olson. He was raised in Black River Falls and graduated from Black River Falls High School in 1979. He graduated from the wood tech program at Western Wisconsin Technical Institute in La Crosse.

Mark worked at various businesses in Black River Falls. For the past 20 years, he has been employed at Wal-Mart. He worked in the electronics department and in the garden center. Recently, he had been a cashier.

He loved country music and being associated with the Jackson County Historical Society (JCHS). He served as the country music curator for the JCHS. He gave tours at the Thunderbird Museum in Hatfield, and he participated in the Silent City Cemetery presentations. He also participated in “Home Folks,” a presentation on local TV. He worked for the Children’s Miracle Network and Make-A-Wish.

Mark was a member and past master of Black River Falls Masonic Lodge #74 F. & A.M.

Surviving are his mother, Helen Olson, Black River Falls; two brothers, Steven (Sharon) Olson, Naperville, IL, and Todd Olson, Black River Falls; a sister, Nancy (Scott) Newman, Deerfield; two nieces, Krista and Michelle; a nephew, Matthew; and a grand-nephew, Kai.

He was preceded in death by his father, Merlin Olson.

Funeral services for Mark M. Olson will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 14, 2008, at Torgerson’s Funeral Home (715-284-4321), Black River Falls. Pastor Ramie Bakken will officiate, and burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Black River Falls.

Relatives and friends may call at Torgerson’s Funeral Home Thursday from 5 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of services. There will be a public Masonic Service at the funeral home Thursday evening at 7 p.m.

The family prefers memorials be given to the Jackson County Historical Society.