Jack V. Olson

Jack Vyse Olson, 92, of Rothschild, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Dec. 10, 2011, at Aspirus Hospice House, Wausau. He was born September 22, 1919, in Dorchester, son of the late James and Meta (Fuchsgruber) Olson. On September 2, 1950, he married his lovely wife of 61 years, Valeria Anna Skrzypchak, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Cassel. Jack attended Wausau High School and graduated in 1940. He then served in the Army Air Force for next12 years, stationed in the Aleutian Islands during World War II for which he received the Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross and Meritorious Award and then again during the Korean Crisis. He was the first student in 1948 to graduate from the School of X-Ray Technology at the former St Mary's Hospital. He worked as surgical assistant for H.W. Christianson, MD and later for Wausau Medical Center from 1970 until his retirement in 1985. Throughout his life, his hobbies included football, skiing, swimming, hunting and fishing with family and friends. As a youth, he competed at the state and national level for ski jumping, and was one of the original group members who groomed the Rib Mountain Ski Hill. He was an active member of St. Therese Catholic Church and a life member of the Knights of Columbus Council No. 4628. He was also a member of the VFW Post 388 and American Legion Post 492. In 1971, he was elected to the Rothschild Village Board as a trustee and served for 38 years. He will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, and true friend. His kind-hearted smile, class-act humor, and gentle personality will be greatly missed. Survivors include his wife, Valeria, Rothschild; sons, Jack Jr. (Mona) Olson, Longmont, Co., Jay (Janet) Olson, Keshena, Todd (Cynthia) Olson, Rothschild, and Craig (Cathy) Olson, Appleton; grandchildren, Amanda (Chris) Kabat, Oshkosh, Erica (Eric) Stenglein, Madison, Nicholas Olson, Chicago, Larissa and Ethan Olson, both of Rothschild, Krista and Eric Olson, both of Appleton; step grandchildren, Chris Schultz and Jesse (Jessica) Knight both of Longmont, Co. and ten great-grandchildren. Besides his parents, Jack was preceded in death by his brother James Jr. (Lucille) Olson. Funeral services will be 1:00 pm Saturday December 17, 2011 at the Peterson/Kramer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Kronenwetter. Friends may call on Saturday from 9:00 am to the time of services at the Sixth Street Funeral Home. There will be a Knights of Columbus Rosary Service Saturday at 9:00 am. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund will be established. The family extends their gratitude to the staff of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services for the loving kindness and special care given to Jack.