Karen I. Olson

Karen I. Olson, 77, of La Crescent, died Friday, October 3 at Bethany Riverside, La Crosse.

She was born January 6, 1937, in La Crosse, to Randall and Irene (Barsness) Albrechtson. Karen was a graduate of Central High School. She married her high school sweetheart, Eugene Olson, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in La Crosse on May 5, 1956. She enjoyed her work as a secretary to the principal at the La Crescent Elementary School for over 30 years. Due to her many contributions to students and staff, she was named support employee of the year in 1993. She enjoyed volunteering in the community and was involved in many organizations and fundraising activities over the years. In 1994, she was honored as the La Crescent Apple Festival Woman of the Year.

Karen was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother and a trusted friend to many. She treasured watching her children’s and grandchildren’s many activities, loved family gatherings, and particularly enjoyed celebrating the holidays with her family. She was a terrific cook and would prepare everyone’s favorites during family get-togethers. She enjoyed camping on the river with her family as they were growing up, relaxing at the family cottage in Trempealeau, and vacationing in Cancun.

Karen is survived by her husband and best friend of 58 years, Eugene; four children, Kathryn (Tom) Ready of La Crescent, Deborah Skaar and special friend, Mark Michener, of La Crosse, Steven (Joan) Olson of Crystal Lake, IL, and Rebecca (Eric) Bantley of Savage, MN; ten grandchildren, Dayton Ready, Jared (Becca) Schulze, Stefanie (Rob) Meyers , Jordan Skaar, Jenna Olson (Paul Chubirka, fiancée), Aubrey, Derek and Elise Olson, Skylar and Cassidy Bantley and two great grandchildren Clara Kate Schulze and Sofiya Skaar; two brothers Loren Albrechtson of Columbus, OH and Gary Albrechtson of Altura, MN, a sister Rosalind Weigel of La Crosse, brother-in-law Vernon (Jeanne) Olson of La Crosse; eleven nieces, two nephews, and several cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; Eugene’s parents, Oliver and Alida Olson; and a sister-in-law Mary Albrechtson.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 7th, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in La Crescent. Pastor Kent Johnson will officiate. Burial will follow at Prince of Peace Cemetery, La Crescent. Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Monday and beginning at 10:00 a.m. until time of services on Tuesday at the church. Memorials may be directed to the La Crescent School District #300 Foundation for a scholarship to be established in Karen’s name or the Food Shelf in La Crescent. Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services of La Crescent is assisting the family.

Karen’s family would like to thank Merit Center North in La Crosse and Bethany Riverside Lighthouse Unit for their excellent and compassionate care during these last couple of years.