Stanley Charles Olson

Olson, Stanley Charles "Buck" MADISON- Stanley Charles "Buck" Olson, age 89, soared to the sky the morning of Tuesday, June 2, 2015. He was truly one of a kind. When President Eisenhower tugged on Buck's big toe while he lay in a military hospital during World War II and asked, "How are you doing soldier?", Buck replied, "Just fine if I could only have a Brandy Manhattan." After enlisting at the young age of 16, Buck served as a B-24 belly gunner for the U.S. Army Air Corps in the South Pacific and ultimately was honored for his service on the Badger Honor Flight in May of 2013. Buck was a self-made man having created, owned and operated Madison Flooring for thirty years. If you have walked in the halls of any Madison hospital or high school, you have walked on one of Buck's floors. One of his proudest moments was installing the stadium turf for the UW-Madison. Although he was wild in his youth and did not finish high school, he was a life-long student. He was an avid reader, could remedy any mechanical problem, and was wise beyond his years. It was common to catch Buck sharing that wisdom over a cup of coffee at his kitchen table with family and friends. Perhaps Buck's greatest passion was the family cottage. Decades ago, Buck had the foresight to secure his family's legacy on Big St. Germain Lake. Buck loved the fishing, campfires and most of all his own jokes. Buck's joke telling is legendary. Although not always appropriate, they were certainly funny. His jokes were the glue that connected him to family, friends and perfect strangers. If you dared to give Buck any grief, you would receive the infamous quote, "That's once." You would receive his "That's twice" warning, if you said any bad word about the Packers or Badgers. Buck is survived by his wife, Viola; his daughter, Sandy (Steve) Thomas; son-in-law, Tom Anderson; five grandchildren, Sara Tripalin, Kate DeGon, Lindsey Hurwitz, Brooke Tiziani and Michael Tripalin; three great-grandchildren with a fourth one on the way; two step-great-grandchildren, Haley and Nick; sisters, Arlene Crary, Beverly Wolfe and Penny Shedivy; brothers, Bob and Bo Olson; his Weiner dog, Riley; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Debra Anderson; and his brother, Ronald Olson. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, at 11 a.m., on Saturday, June 6, 2015. Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Badger Honor Flight in memory of Stanley "Buck" Olson U. S. Army Air Corps 1944-1945. Buckaroo, you left without us having a chance to say goodbye. "That's three." Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420