Edward W. Olson Jr., 67, Burlington, died Jan. 11, 2012, surrounded by his family, at Aurora Memorial Hospital of Burlington, following a long illness.
He was born Sept. 26, 1944, in Chicago, to the late Edward W. and Betty (Nelson) Olson. He spent his early life in Chicago, before moving to Burlington in 1958. He attended St. Gabes Grade School in Chicago and was a graduate of Burlington High School.
He proudly served in the U.S. Army, 502nd Airborne Division, as a Door Gunner on the UHC Huey Gun Ship, during the Vietnam Era. After being wounded he finished out his tour of duty serving as a family support counselor to other families who lost their soldiers while serving.
On Sept. 21, 1968, at Plymouth Congregational Church in Burlington, he married Danna Cochran. Together they made their home in Burlington, welcoming two children.
He retired from Foster Forbes and was a member of the American Legion. He enjoyed karate and was a member of the American Kyuki-do Federation where he earned his 2nd Dan Black Belt. He was an avid runner and participated for several years in the Al’s Run and Walk in Milwaukee, and the Lighthouse Run in Racine. He was a loving husband, father and devoted grandfather who cherished his grandchildren greatly. He was the type of man who always supported and pushed others to do better and excel, while leading by example. He truly loved spending time with his family and in turn they will forever miss his special presence in their everyday lives.
Survivors include his loving wife; children, Kimberly Jean Olson and Michael Edward Olson; grandchildren, Katrienna (Steven) Kaiser, David Thomas Rex Jr. and Noah Michael Olson, all Burlington; and by his brother, William (Carol) Olson.
A graveside service is Wednesday, Jan. 25, at noon at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove. A funeral processional is will leave Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home, 625 Browns Lake Drive, Burlington, at 11:30 a.m.
Memorials to the Wis. State Troopers Association or the American Heart and Lung Association are suggested.
The family would like to express a special thank you to Dr. Zaremba for her dedicated service she provided Edward and his family over the past 13 years, as well as the staff of the Burlington Memorial Hospital ICU and Respiratory Department. An extended thank you to the Burlington Rescue Squad and Mark Sekey.
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