Obit: Oleson, John Lee (1939 - 2015)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Brost, Cooper, Cullen, Curtin, Hemmer, Layhew, Lekie, Markow, Neuman, Oleson, Peleschak, Raatz, Ryan, Wicks

----Source: The Star News (Medford, WI) 3/19/2015

Oleson, John "Jack" Lee (30 MAY 1939 - 12 MAR 2015)

John "Jack" Lee Oleson, 75, town of Little Black, died on Thursday, March 12 at his home, surrounded by his loving family and under the care of Hope Hospice.

Funeral services were held on Monday, March 16 at Hemer Funeral Home in Medford, with Dan Layhew, funeral director, officiating. Interment was at Stetsonville Public Cemetery. Pallbearers were his grandsons, Kyle Cullen, Jeremy Cullen, Jacob Wicks, Christopher Oleson, Cori Oleson, Coleton Raatz, Travis Hemmer, Drogun Oleson and Tyler Oleson.

John Oleson was born on May 30, 1939 in Medford to the late Frank and Gladys (Markow) Oleson.

On May 31, 1958 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Medford, he married Bonnie Ruth Lekie, who survives.

John worked as a milk deliverer, paper deliverer and mink farmer for a period of time. He then worked for Fred Dahl at The Skelly Station. Jack and his wife, Bonnie, owned J&B Mink Ranch. He also worked at Weather Shield and Tombstone Pizza, both in Medford, for a period of time. Jack also worked as a security guard for J&J Security. After his retirement, he worked for the forestry at the campgrounds until he became ill.

He enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing, hunting, music festivals, traveling, mowing the lawn and was an avid Green Bay Packers fan.

In addition to his wife, survivors include five children, Rondi (Ron) Hemmer of Owen, John (Dee Dee) Oleson of Medford, Scott (Gail) Oleson of Holway, and Shelly (Mark) Raatz and Vicki (Randy) Wicks, both of Stetsonville; three siblings, Glenn (Jackie) Oleson of Abbotsford, Linda Ryan of Milton, and Diane Cooper of Moscow, Texas; four brothers-in-law, Vernon Brost and Dick (Betti) Lekie, both of Medford, Don (Marty) Lekie of Stetsonville, and Dave (Lynette) Lekie of Las Vegas, Nev.; 15 grandchildren, Travis Hemmer, Amber (Nate) Curtin, Tyler (Holly) Oleson, Shawna Oleson, Drogun Oleson, Taylor Oleson, Dakota Oleson, Christopher Oleson and Cori Oleson, Coleton Raatz and Kyle Neuman, Becca Peleschak, Kyle Cullen, Jeremy Cullen and Jacob Wicks; six great-grandchildren, Dominic, Allison, William, Erik, Autumn and Lily; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Myrna Brost; two sisters in infancy; and two brothers-in-law, Jerry Ryan and David Cooper.

Memorials may be given to Jack's family to be designated at a later date.

For online condolences, please visit www.hemerfuneralservice.com.