Ann Marie Olson

Ann Marie Olson, 89 of Onalaska, passed away to her heavenly reward on Sunday, October 28, 2012 at the Gundersen-Lutheran Medical Center. She was born in La Crescent, MN on March 21, 1923 to Lorenz and Magdalena Lena (Hollis) Hafner. She was baptized at St. Peters Catholic Church in Hokah, MN where she attended school. Anns family including two sisters and a brother lived and farmed on the ridge in rural La Crescent. The farm prospered until the untimely death of her father. Ann eventually moved to La Crosse in her late teens with her mother and worked cleaning homes, eventually gaining full time employment at Doerflingers Department Store. In 1944 she met the love of her life, Les Olson one night in April at a downtown La Crosse bowling alley. Les was wearing his army uniform as he was on leave from his Army base in Mississippi. The sparks flew and things happened fast. Les returned to his base soon after their whirlwind courtship. Ann made two train trips to Mississippi in the following month and a half. On the second trip, they were married in Grenada, MS June 10, 1944. Les was soon shipped out to Europe as part of the 94th Wisconsin division, joining George Pattons 3thrdth Army. Ann returned to La Crosse to live with her mother. At the end of WWII, Les returned to La Crosse and they quickly started a family. They built their first home on the southside of La Crosse in the then town of Shelby with a picturesque view of Cliffwood bluffs. While raising three children she worked part time at Crams grocery store. She eventually worked full time at Sears in downtown La Crosse and became a long time employee working there into her late 60s.

In 1980 they purchased a cottage on Lake Nelson in Hayward, WI. Many wonderful family memories were created there with their children and grandchildren. The screened in porch was a favorite place to gather and play cards, read and listen to the call of the loons on the lake.

At the young age of 68, they sold that home and built a new home in Onalaska near the Cedar Creek Golf Course. Les and Ann were inseparable, spending many hours relaxing on their backyard deck and working in their yard, which was always impeccable with many colorful flower beds and beautiful landscaping. In 2010 at the age of 87, she was thrilled to have their hard work and imagination recognized when their yard was toured by the local Garden Club. Her family and home were her number one priority. She was very creative and artistic which reflected in her interior decorating, her crocheting of beautiful items which she gifted to family and friends and many other creative crafts of the times. One of her favorite pastimes was playing cards with family, where she was always very sharp and competitive. Ann was always happy and pleasant with a smile for everyone.

Ann is survived by the love of her life, Lester A. Olson; sons, Dennis (Barbara) Olson and Terrence (Michelle) Olson; daughter, Victoria (Daniel) Marcou; 7 grandchildren, Nathan (Cherisse) Marcou, Christa (Paul) Modderman, Joshua, Jarrod, Jillian, Jennifer and Jordan Olson and 8 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Susan (Ambrose) Baumgartner and Sister Agnes Hafner and a brother, Leo (Marie) Hafner.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, October 31thstth at St. Patricks Catholic Church in Onalaska with Monsignor Steven Kachel officiating. Burial will follow in the Onalaska City Cemetery. Friends and family may call from 5-7 PM Tuesday at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of Onalaska where a prayer service will be held at 7:00 PM, and again at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 AM until the time of services. Memorials are suggested to Gundersen-Lutheran Hospice Program.