Monroe S. Olson

Held dearly in the hearts of family and friends, Monroe Olson, 86, of La Crosse, passed away peacefully on August 18 in hospice care at Gunderson Health System in La Crosse.

Born November 16, 1928, at home on the family farm near Coon Valley, Wisconsin, Monroe and his sister and three brothers were raised by Mabel (Ambrosen) and Sidney Olson.

Monroe and Donna Belle Garves were married on July 3, 1949, and had sixty-six full years together as partners and as parents of their four children. Family, friends, and work were the center of Monroe's life.

I n his many occupationsa�"welder at Trane Company, dairy farmer near West Salem, owner of a Gambles hardware store, maintenance supervisor at Metallics, mail delivery driver for Baumgartner Trucking, tour bus driver for Ready Bus, and general maintenance at Black River Hospital, to name somea�"Monroe was dedicated to both his workplaces and his fellow workers. He was always ready to lend a helping hand. He enjoyed lively conversation over a cup of coffee and loved making people laugh. He had a strong handshake, a welcoming smile, and a deep faith.

Family members he dearly loved have preceded him in death: his parents, sister Marilyn, and brothers Conrad and Arlyn. Surviving family members will miss him deeply: his wife, Donna; daughter Christine (Robert) Ruud; sons Mark (Norma), Jon (Jane), and Phil; brother Everett (Nancy) Olson; grandchildren Elizabeth (Ryan) Ziegler, Samuel (Nichole) Ruud, David Olson, Jessica (Jered) Luedke, Corey Lipelt (April Safford), Matthew (Jenni) Olson, Jordan Olson, Laura Lipelt, Jolyssa Olson, Carly Olson, and Jack Olson; and eleven great-grandchildren.

The family is deeply grateful to the Neuroscience floor staff and the wonderful Palliative Care Unit staff at Gunderson Lutheran Hospital for their kindness and respect in caring for Monroe.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday August 22, 2015 at Bethel Lutheran Church, 1931 Loomis Street in La Crosse. Rev. Duane Baardseth will officiate with burial in Oak Grove Cemetery in La Crosse. Friends may call at the church on Saturday from 9 a.m. until service time.