Viola V. Olson

MADISON - Viola V. Olson, age 93, left us quietly and peacefully on the morning of Feb. 24, 2024. Viola was born on Oct. 9, 1930, in Madison, Wis., to Stanley and Berdella Vinje, the oldest child, and only daughter, of three siblings.

Viola was a loving soul as a child, deeply connected to her father and often overseeing the care of her youngest brother, Jerry Vinje. Viola was raised during a period when women were limited in what they could do and achieve. She married Stanley C. Olson on March 31, 1951, and soon after welcomed her first of two daughters into this world.

While Viola did not earn a degree beyond Madison East High School, she did earn an honorary Ph.D. in the department of love. Everything Viola did and considered was for others. She would go to great lengths to make sure her family and her friends were cared for before even considering herself. Her enduring love served as the backbone of three generations: her two daughters, her five grandchildren and her ten great-grandchildren.

Viola's kitchen table was her office, people coming at all hours of the day to sit with her, to experience being fully heard and cared for and to always have an offering of food and drink to be comforted by. Before her daily home office was in use, Viola did work for the State of Wisconsin Purchasing Department for many years on the UW campus. She had many dear friends there and she had a great deal of pride for being a working woman and carrying the health insurance for her family. She used to laugh about how she would squirrel away money out of every paycheck to support her shoe and purse habit. She was always well accessorized. More than not, Viola's extra money typically went towards thoughtful gifts for her daughters and grandchildren.

The years spent with her family at her cabin in St. Germain, Wis., were some of her most cherished times. Her whole family gathering every year to swim, boat and ski, fish, roast s'mores over the campfire, shop, and taste the cuisine of the Northwoods supper clubs. It would be nothing to have fish bait share a shelf with Viola's homemade goodies, her fridge always bursting at the seams.

If you knew Viola, you knew she was an animal lover and most notably a dog lover. They too, shared space with everyone at the cabin and always had a place anytime they needed it, in Viola's home. Every time you turned around, all the family dogs would be following Viola, waiting for the next treat and her sing-song voice of love and praise. Dogs must have been barking and wagging their tails in heaven when she arrived.

All the souls she touched; it was a gift to be loved by her. Even with dementia over the last decade of her life, her energy of love, kindness and softness was still present. The world is diminished with her passing. We easily celebrate those who steal our headlines and make waves in their achievements and often fail to recognize and celebrate those who quietly and consistently make the most impact within our lives. Her gift of love will continue to be passed along within the hearts of her family and will be her enduring legacy.

Viola is survived by her loving daughter and primary caregivers, Sandy (Dr. Steve) Thomas; brother, Jerry Vinje; her son-in-law, Tom Anderson; five grandchildren, Sara (Bob) Tripalin, Kate (Dan) DeGon, Lindsey (Diny) Hurwitz, Brooke (Nate) Tiziani and Michael Tripalin (Matthew); ten great-grandchildren, Logan, Karson and Haley (Nate) Gingras, Nick Cook, Andi and Maddex DeGon, Lauren and Annie Hurwitz, and Jack and Sophia Tiziani; and her adored wiener dog, Riley.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Stanley and Berdella Vinje; husband, Stanley C. Olson; brother, Wally Vinje; beloved daughter, Debra Anderson; and so many of her friends and extended family.

A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 9, 2024. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday.

The family wants to extend their gratitude to the entire Vilas Wing staff of SSM Care Center for their devotion to and care of Viola over the last several years. Most notably, Abby (and her Hospice care team), Sister Georgann, Marcy (Nurse Coordinator) and Petra (Social Services) each blessed Viola with the gift of love, comfort and care during the last few weeks of her transition.

Viola, the pearly gates of Heaven were surely thrown open upon your arrival. You will be dearly missed here.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420