Tom Olson

Thomas D. Olson passed away at his home surrounded by his family on Sunday, August 20, 2006.

Visitation for Tom will be at the Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam on Thursday, August 24, 2006 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM and at Harvest Evangelical Free Church, W7444 Hwy 33, on Friday, August 25, 2006 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Funeral services will be held at church on Friday, beginning at 11:00 AM. John R. Leiting will be the celebrant. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in the Town of Beaver Dam, Dodge County, Wisconsin. His many friends at the John E. Miller American Legion Post #146 in Beaver Dam will provide military honors.

Thomas Dale Olson was born on November 21, 1934 in Barron, Wisconsin to the late Peter and Emma (Wittwer) Olson. He grew up in Barron, became an Eagle Scout in 1951, and graduated from Barron High School in 1952. Tom attended then Wisconsin State College in Eau Claire from 1952 through 1953. From 1953 to 1954 he worked as a parts inspector at Illinois Tools Works in Des Plaines, IL. He then enlisted in the Army and served in Germany from 1954 through 1956 where he received the National Defense Service Medal, Army Occupation Medal (Germany) and the Good Conduct Medal. On the GI bill, he returned to the Wisconsin State College in Eau Claire and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education in 1960. Tom met Joyce Anderson while attending College and they were married on August 4, 1962. They moved to Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin where he taught social studies from 1960 through 1964. Tom and Joyce welcomed daughters Kim, in 1963, and Kathleen, in 1965. In 1965, they moved to Beaver Dam and Tom began his career with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections at the Fox Lake Correctional Institution. During this time Tom continued his education and, in 1968, he received his Masters Degree in Science of Teaching at Wisconsin State University at Eau Claire. Tom and Joyce welcomed son Jeffery to the family in 1968. Tom taught for the DOC from 1965 to 1976 at Fox Lake and was promoted to Education Director at Taycheedah Correctional Institution and worked there for nine years. He transferred back to Fox Lake in 1985 and later retired from there in 1993 after 33 years in education.

Tom was always very interested politics and was very active in local government. He was a member of the state Republican Party and served four terms as Alderman for the 11 Ward during the 1970”s. After his retirement from the DOC in 1993, he again began to pursue the office of Mayor in Beaver Dam and was elected and served four consecutive terms. Tom was very proud of his political involvement and stood by his accomplishments and decisions. He very much enjoyed his years serving the citizens of Beaver Dam and the friends he made while doing so.

Tom had a variety of interests during his lifetime. He was an avid hunter, a reluctant fisherman and especially looked forward to and enjoyed the annual trip to the deer hunting shack. He never missed a season in the woods with close friends and family in over 60 years. He and his wife Joyce owned and operated the House of Fine Spirits Liquor Store in Beaver Dam in the late seventies. He sponsored and participated on a bowling team for many years. He had a pilot”s license and enjoyed flying small planes until health reasons caused him to quit, but still enjoyed an annual trip to the EAA Convention in Oshkosh. He was a voracious reader, often devouring five to six books a week and he was a regular figure at the public library. One of his favorite pastimes was playing cards with family and friends. Many a Saturday morning was spent taking his grandchildren and great-grandchildren to breakfast; he loved the one-on-one time with them. In recent years, Tom traveled to California, Hawaii and Las Vegas and spent time with his friend Elaine Erickson. He was a member of the John E. Miller American Legion Post #146, the Clarence Keske VFW Post #1163, the 40 & 8 Dodge County Voiture Locale #856, the Beaver Dam Elks Lodge #1540, and the NRA.

Tom is survived by his three children, Kim Olson (Mark Ebert), Kathleen Olson (Steven Garb) and Jeffery (Angela) Olson, all of Beaver Dam; seven grandchildren, Kara, Cory, Joshua, Nicole, Matthew, Remington, and Maria; two great grandchildren, Mable and Emma; his sister, Evelyn (Roger) Ladendorf of Trego, WI, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Joyce in 1999, and his two brothers, Russell and Owen Olson.

The family suggests that memorials be made in Thomas D. Olson”s name to the Beaver Dam Community Library.

The Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam is serving the family. www.MurrayFH.com

Service Details

Friday, August 25th, 2006, 11:00am, Harvest Evangelical Free Church-Beaver Dam

Interment Details

Oakwood Cemetery-Beaver Dam