Helen Lorrayne Olson

Olson, Helen L. MADISON-Helen L. Olson, age 83, of Madison, passed away on Friday, Dec. 9, 2011. She was born in Madison on December 26, 1927, the youngest of ten children, to Oscar and Florence (Lyon) Berkan. Besides raising a family, Helen worked for 27 years in the retail business; 12 years at A & P Grocery and 15 years at Treasure Island. She also worked 14 years at Rural Insurance Company. She truly enjoyed her jobs, and all of the many people she worked with. In later years, it was her children, grandchildren, and great-grand-children that “lit up her life”, and, of course, those fun vacations and casino trips she shared with her companion, Gil. Helen was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in January of 1989, and has since, bravely battled with various types of cancer for the last 22 years. Helen is survived by her two daughters, Kathleen (John) Christopherson of Stoughton, and Annie Lyon of Madison; six grandchildren, Leslie (Mike) Ellingson and Jill (Josh) Swangstu of Stoughton, Eric (Jackie) Christopherson of Portage, Jacob (Jessica) Aasve of Monticello, Jon (Kristen) Aasve and Jordan (Matt) Inda of Madison; seven great-granchildren, Nicole, Becca and Ryan Ellingson of Stoughton, Ava and Andrew Aasve of Monticello, Tatum and Reese Inda of Madison; her longtime friend and companion, Gil Strelow; and many nieces, nephews and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers, Harry, Fred, Ted, Robert and Richard; four sisters, Bessie LaHaie, Leone Brown, Laura Merryfield and Edith Sloniker; and two nephews, Don Sloniker and Gary Berkan. A memorial service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, on Weds., December 14, 2011 at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Annie Lyon officiating. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday. Interment will be at Roselawn Memorial Park. Helen’s family would like to thank the staff at Agrace HospiceCare, especially Kristin and Ann, for the loving care they showed during Helen’s stay. Memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare, 5395 E. Cheryl Pkwy., Fitchburg WI 53711. God saw that she was ill, A cure was not to be. So He put His arms around her, And whispered, “Come with me.” With tearful eyes we watched her suffer And saw her fade away, Although we loved her dearly, We could not make her stay. A golden heart stopped beating, She was finally laid to rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the BEST. Cemetery: Interment will be at Roselawn Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare, 5395 E. Cheryl Pkwy., Fitchburg WI 53711. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday. A memorial service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, on Weds., December 14, 2011 at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Annie Lyon officiating.