Raphael Owen Olson

MADISON-Raphael "Ray" Owen Olson, age 92, of Madison and formerly of Mt. Prospect, IL passed away on September 4, 2015 at the Community Living Center Hospice at the Wm S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison. He was born on January 2, 1923 in Madison, the second oldest of eight children of Clarence A. Olson and Clementine (Dempsey) Olson. He grew up on the East side of Madison in the Eken Park neighborhood and spent many childhood years in "The Bush" visiting family. Ray attended elementary school at St. James, St. Raphael and St. Bernard, and graduated from Madison East High School, Class of 1942. He played football and excelled at many other sports. He proudly served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He landed in France on D-Day plus 3 and was wounded in St. Lo, France where he received his first Purple Heart. He was in Sterpigny, Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge and was seriously wounded. He received his second Purple Heart for those injuries and the Silver Star for continuing to fire against the enemy while wounded and only breathing with one lung. After the war, Ray returned to the University of Wisconsin, Madison to finish his Bachelor's degree. He graduated in January 1949 with a Law Bachelor's Degree (LBA) and a Business Bachelor's Degree (BBA). While at the university, he met his wife Jeanne Garvey. They were married for 57 years until her death in 2004. When he was at the VA hospital in 2009 he was interviewed by staff and he said that her death was "the worst thing that ever happened in my life." Ray worked at A.O. Smith Corporation in Milwaukee and Allstate Tax Division in Illinois. He also worked at the State of Wisconsin Department of Taxation, and Marietta Research and Investment Company. He was a member of many organizations including AFL Labor Local No. 464, Chicago Tax Club, American Legion Post No. 0046, Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, DAV, and Military Order of the Purple Heart. When he lived in Mt. Prospect, IL, he would often go to the Arlington Park Race Track for the horse races and to Wrigley Field to watch a Cubs game. When he was not watching sports, he would get everyone involved in a game of croquet, horse shoes, chess, or maybe a game of Monopoly. Ray loved to be with his family and was proud of his Irish heritage. He was an avid collector of movies and enjoyed going to Florida and Arizona during the winter months. He is survived by three daughters, Cynthia "Cyndie" Olson of Madison, Judith "Judy" of Arlington Hts., IL, and Nanci (Don) Tibbetts of Madison; five grandchildren, Amy (Mike) Enright, Clayton Tibbetts, Anna (Mathias) Krantz, Donald Kessler, Meghan (Mark) Steingraber; two great grandchildren, Claire and Everett Enright. He is further survived by his siblings, Virginia "Ginny" Bonner, James "Jimmy" Olson, Daniel "Danny" (Betty) Olson, Margaret Cass, Sara (Terry) Anderson and Michael "Mickey" (Lesa) Olson. He also is survived by dozens of nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Jeanne and his brother Clarence F. Olson. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 2450 Atwood Ave., Madison, on Wednesday, Sept 9, 2015 at 11am. Visitation will be at Gunderson East Funeral Home, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison on Tuesday, Sept 8, 2015 from 5pm to 7pm and on Wednesday, from 10am until the time of the service at church. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery, with Military Honors being conducted. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or to the Badger Honor Flight. The family would like to thank the compassionate staff at the VA Hospital for their support and care during Ray's last months.