M. Jessamine Olson

Jessamine Olson peacefully passed away on July 17, 2011 after a long and fulfilling life. She was born May 19, 1916 to Thomas and Rose (Sweeney) Whelan, Barneveld, Wisconsin. She married Leon Olson, Black Earth, on June 30, 1938 in Ridgeway, Wis. They lived in the Black Earth area until moving to Middleton in 1946. She was a long time member of St. Bernard Catholic Church in Middleton and participated in many of the ladies groups. Jessamine received her teaching license at the age of 19 and started her teaching career. She spent many years teaching and working as a substitute teacher for districts in Dane and Iowa County and continued in that profession until her early 80\'s. She touched the lives of many children in the classroom. She was also an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching her grandchildren in every sport they played. It was a rare occasion for her to miss a game. She also enjoyed watching baseball, basketball, football, golf and horse racing on television. Her most favorite pastime was dancing, and if there was a dance in the area you could bet she would be there. She was an avid reader and loved to do word searches and finds to challenge her mind.She is survived by daughter Kateri (John) Nelson of Salida, Colorado and their children Shannon (Chuck) Hays, Kevin Nelson, Rebecca (Keith) Clark, son in law Ted Helleckson of Middleton, Wis and his children Joleen (Marty) Breunig, Marcia (David) Rosecky, Ted (Laura) Helleckson and son Shaun (Jackie) Olson of Deerfield, Wis and their children Jason and Jeremy Olson. She is further survived by 9 great grandchildren Devin and Madison Hays, Spencer and Sofia Clark, Kayla and Kyle Breunig, Fletcher Rosecky, Sydney Helleckson and Jaelyn Olson.She was preceded in death by her husband, infant daughter Jolene, daughter Marita, and brother Tom Whelan. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Rest Haven Health Care Center for the care and compassion provided to Jessamine over the last several years. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 7450 University Ave., Middleton at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 22, 2011 with Monsignor Douglas Dushack officiating. Burial will be in St. Bernard Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 2 p.m. until the time of the service Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wisconsin Alzheimer\'s Institute, 7818 Big Sky Drive, Ste 215, Madison, WI 53719, St. Joseph\'s Indian School, Chamberlain, SD 57326 or St. Bernard\'s Catholic Church, Middleton. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wisconsin Alzheimer\'s Institute, 7818 Big Sky Drive, Ste 215, Madison, WI 53719, St. Joseph\'s Indian School, Chamberlain, SD 57326 or St. Bernard\'s Catholic Church, Middleton. Cemetery: Burial will be in St. Bernard Cemetery. Visitation: Visitation will be held from 2 p.m. until the time of the service Friday at the church. Service: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 7450 University Ave., Middleton at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 22, 2011 with Monsignor Douglas Dushack officiating.