William 'Bill' Olson

William (Bill) Henry Olson, age 80 of River Falls, WI, formerly of Spring Valley, Wi., passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 5th 2023 at United Hospital in St Paul, MN.

A memorial service will be on Saturday, November 18th 2023 at 11 am, at First Congregational United Church of Christ, in River Falls.

Visitation will be from 10 am until 11 prior to the service at the Church.

A private burial will be held at a later date.

Bill was born September 13, 1943 in Gilman Township of Spring Valley, WI to Henry and Hazel (Esanbock) Olson. Bill attended Gilman Grade School then to Spring Valley High School, where he graduated in 1961. Following high school, he enlisted in the Army. He was sent to Fort Riley, Kansas to drive armored personnel carriers. There, through a friend at the Sunflower Bowling Alley in Abilene, Kansas, he met Martha Sue Kolling. Two years later, the two of them were married on June 1st, 1963 in Abilene, Kansas. After the wedding, the couple prepared for the birth of their son, Michael. Once Bill was discharged from the Army, the three of them moved up to Spring Valley, WI to live with Bill’s parents.

Three years later Bill and Martha had their second child, Tina. Bill worked at Madson Saw Mill by Spring Valley, WI for while. Then he worked at Jack’s Super Valu grocery store as a stock boy. There he learned to be a butcher. He then worked at the County Market in Hudson, WI. Bill was a butcher for 47 years and retired from the County Market. Though he couldn’t stay away from the grocery store for too long. He applied at Dick’s Fresh Market in River Falls for his retirement job as stock boy once again.

While working at Jack’s Super Valu, he also was a volunteer firefighter in Spring Valley for 37 years. Bill loved visiting with family and friends talking about cars, fishing, and army life. He was very passionate about animals. He especially loved his grand dogs. Bill loved to look for agates with his daughter, and was her biggest fan of her bike racing. Fishing with Mike was his biggest sport. He loved to either sit in the boat or in a warm ice shack. Not only did he enjoy catching fish, but going out on Friday evenings for fish with good friends Wayne and Rita Hojem and Roger and Joyce Kampstra. He also loved to joke around with his Daughter in law on occasion. His perfect day with his wife would be grabbing a bite to eat and enjoying the scenery at Birkmose Park in Hudson, WI. He will be remembered as a kind and gentle soul.

Bill leaves behind his wife of 60 years Martha of River Falls, WI, his children; Michael (Tammy) Olson of Amery, WI, Tina Olson of River Falls, WI. His grandchildren Marisa Lieske and Nickolas Raehsler (Corbin Moulder) all of Minneapolis, MN. Also left to mourn are Brother and Sister in laws Larry and Deanna Kolling, Ted and Margaret Kolling and Rhea Kolling, along with many more family and friends.

Bill now celebrates his new life in Heaven with his parents, Henry and Hazel Olson, his infant sister and two infant brothers, and his beloved Aunt and Uncle, Millie and Ben Esanbock. He will also join in the company of his in-laws, Albert and Mabel Kolling

In Lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the family. 

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