Ruth M. Olson

MADISON-Ruth (Mithus) Olson, age 98, passed away on Friday, Sept. 2, 2016. She was born to Martha (Gilbertson) and Thomas N. Mithus in 1918, the youngest of three children.  Ruth was raised near Vilas Park and Camp Randall Stadium, and attended Randall Elementary School when it first opened and then graduated from West High School.  After high school, she attended Grove's Secretarial School.  Ruth met her husband, Percy W. Olson, in high school.  They married in 1941, just before Percy was called to serve in the U.S. Army Air Corps.  His assignments took them to Denver and Los Angeles.  They developed friendships there that lasted many, many years.  They returned to Madison and lived in the same house in which Ruth grew up.  Her secretarial skills served her well as she worked for Roberts, Roe and Boardman law office until the day before her first child, Karen was born.  Son, Peter followed one year later.  Ruth returned to work after several years and eventually retired from the administrative offices of Madison Public Schools.  She enjoyed many years of active retirement, and especially her grandchildren.  Ruth always enjoyed music and being active in various church groups and choir.  She was very proud to be a charter member of Advent Lutheran Church.  Ruth is survived by her daughter, Karen (Dan) Schwarz; son, Peter (Carol) Olson; two grandsons, Marshal (Maureen) Olson and Tim (Leah) Olson; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Percy; brother, Joseph; and sister, Berniece; and their spouses. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at 11:00 am at ADVENT LUTHERAN CHURCH, 7118 Old Sauk Rd, Madison, WI.  The family will greet friends and relatives beginning at 9:30 am prior to the service.  The family requests no flowers.  Memorials made to Oakwood village or McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research at UW-Madison would be appreciated. The family wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Oakwood's Covenant and Hebron facilities.  Your kindness and care of Mom was wonderful and greatly appreciated! Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Care 7435 University Avenue (608)831-6761