Laurel Lea Olsen

MADISON-Laurel "Laurie" L. Olsen, age 63, of Madison, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016, at Meriter Hospital in Madison, surrounded by her family. She was born on March 2, 1952, in Chippewa Falls, the daughter of Robert and Dona (Stuckert) Nyhus. Laurie married Michael P. Olsen in 1987. She was a longtime State of Wisconsin employee with the Department of Social Security Disability. Laurie enjoyed a variety of crafting hobbies, playing cards, spending time with her grandchildren and the love of her dogs, Jordy and Maverick. Laurie is survived by her children, Robert Scace, Kimberly (Kevin) Dunham, and Shianne (Dan) Martinson; grandchildren, Katie, Keagan and Kyle Dunham, Tylor (Chelsea) and Shawn Martinson, and Austin (Karissa) Henze; great-granddaughter, Madelyn Martinson; mother, Dona Nyhus; sisters, Jeanine Taylor, Dawneen (David) Steinhauer and Denise (Adam) Neeley; brother, Mark (Susan) Nyhus; mother-in-law Anne Gray Knezevich; sister-in-law, Amelia Knezevich (Stephanie Hurtado); special niece, Tara Purdy; honorary son, Christian Markworth, several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her father in 1994; husband in 2009; mother-in-law in 2011. The family would like to give a special Thank You to Lisa Mlinar for all the support and unconditional friendship she provided to Laurie and her family over their many years of friendship and for the support she still continues to give. Funeral services will be held at ST. JAMES EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 427 S. Main St., Verona, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, with the Rev. Peter Narum presiding. Burial will be held at the Verona City Cemetery. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 8, 2016, and at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday.