James Edward Olson

On the evening of July 10th, after a day with his family James Edward Olson, 91 of Oconomowoc, WI. passed away peacefully at Angel’s Grace Hospice Center after a lengthy battle with age related dementia. The Olson's beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend has joined his parents, David and Margaret Olson and his three older brothers, David, Donald and Robert Olson in the kingdom of heaven. Jim was born on the Southside of Chicago, February 11th, 1931. There, he and his lifelong friends went to Cubs games and took advantage of Lake Michigan on hot summer days. At the age of 18 Jim felt the call to follow in his brother’s footsteps by becoming a proud veteran of the United States Armed Services. After his service in the Air Force Jim returned home to his revered state of Illinois, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from The University of Illinois, Class of 1955. While there, Jim was the chairman of his Fraternity, PI Kappa Alpha. On November 15th, 1958, Jim married his love, Bette H. Johnson whom he had met in-front of a bowling alley jukebox. Throughout their 63 years of marriage, they used their strong sense of self-reliance and compassion to raise their three children, Suzanne, James, and Lawrence. Jim built a successful career with his herculean work ethic and commitment to the Eaton/Cutler Hammer Corporation. He started as a Group Scheduling Supervisor and ascended to Plant Manager. During his tenure, Jim wanted to create a better environment for the neighborhood and the plant he worked at. He worked alongside community leaders to develop multiple programs that helped strengthen the neighborhoods on the Northwest side of Milwaukee. In 1993 Jim helped establish NOVA (Northwest Opportunities Vocational Academy) an alternative, school-to-work program for “at-risk” students in the area. Jim volunteered countless hours in developing this facility and the programs that would help young adults gain valuable life skills on their pathway to employment. In his retirement Jim never slowed down. Driven by curiosity he continued to seek out new tasks, acquire more tools, and solve bigger problems. He could fix a stubborn dishwasher at 11:00 at night and rebuild a 64 Mustang from the frame up. He could solve his son’s math equations and help his daughter chip out of a sand trap. He mastered the art of watercolors and relentlessly pursued the details in his wood carvings. Once Jim felt a new task was worth his time, then that task received it all. However, nothing brought him more satisfaction than sitting down at the end of a long day to enjoy a drink with his family as they watched the sunset over Okauchee Lake. Stories of his kindness and wise words continue to flood in. It’s clear to all that knew him, that Jim Olson was a good man. He was a loyal dependable man who was true to his word. He is no longer with us, however his legacy will live on as his principals and virtues take new form in the hearts and minds of his 5 grandchildren. The family will be celebrating Jim’s loving memory with a private service on the weekend of July 23rd. The family welcomes donations made in memory of James Olson to Northwest Opportunities Vocational Academy (NOVA).