Patricia Anne Olson

It is with heavy hearts we share the passing of our dear mother, grandmother and friend, Patricia Anne (Gander) Olson. Born on November 1, 1938, to Paul E. and Dorathy Mae (Chroninger) Gander, Patricia (Patsy) grew up surrounded by a large extended family in North Clayton, Crawford County. In addition to her two brothers, Larry (Nettie) and Raymond (Vivian) Gander and one sister, Pauline (Jerry) Rieck, Pat had many cousins, aunts and uncles close by whom she remembered fondly throughout her years.

After graduating from Soldiers Grove High School, she attended Vernon County Normal School (Teachers College) in Viroqua and went on to teach grade school in several one room schools of Vernon County. A friend introduced her to her brother’s good friend, Stanley Charles Olson and they married June 9, 1962. They made their home on the Oak Knoll farm on Three Chimney Road, farming alongside Stanley’s parents (Charles & Mary Olson). Unfortunately, Stanley’s declining health left Pat to help with many of the farm chores in addition to raising their three children, Kari (Paul) Johnson, Richard Olson and Russell Olson, cooking, cleaning, and tending to Stanley’s ever increasing care needs. She never returned to teaching although she was always a teacher at heart. She was ever so kind and patient with her grandchildren, helping them to develop their ABCs and penmanship skills.

In the 1970s, Pat was elected the Township of Viroqua Clerk, a position she dutifully served for 30 years. In the day, property taxes were calculated by hand and recorded in large leger books. She prided herself on keeping accurate and legible records despite the vast amount of time required to do so. Immersing herself in her work no doubt gave her a break from the ceaseless demands on time. Pat moved to Viroqua in 1988 after Stanley and Charles’ passing. She continued to work for the township and then supplemented herself by working at Vernon Manor nursing home as an aide. Following retirement, Pat moved to Parkview Court apartments where she met many new friends to share her life with and find support when Richard and Russell passed away. While there she renewed her passion for playing cards, using the skills she had developed with her brothers during her childhood. Pat moved to Maplewood Terrace in 2022 because of her declining health and added many new friends to the collection of those who enjoyed her sense of humor, graciousness, thoughtfulness, and kindness.

Many will reflect on Pat’s life as one filled with hardship and loss. Knowing her story makes it easy to understand where her tenacity and strong spirit arose from. Raising her children, caring for a disabled husband, and managing the responsibilities of a job, farm and home, left Pat with little time for herself or anyone to assist her when things got rough. Still, she managed to find time for sewing, crocheting, recovering furniture, gardening and most importantly, keeping those she cared about front and center in her actions and words. Sometimes, okay always, Pat was impatient; she expected a lot from those she cared about and sometimes it was difficult to live up to her expectations. Yet, in return she would genuinely care about us, offer up a smile or kind words of support even when she was powerless to help. This is what bothered her the most about leaving us. She could not ever do enough to show how much she loved us and was remorseful even to the end. The very last words she spoke were “I’m sorry.”

Pat has finally found the rest she has earned yet leaves in sadness her daughter Kari and son-in-law Paul along with their children and spouses, Andrew, Anna, Reed, and Charlee Johnson; Kelsey and Matt Hase; and Lucas Johnson. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Vivian Gander, Nettie Gander, and Charlene (Olson) Lebakken and numerous friends and family.

Her sons Richard and Russell Olson, husband Stanley, parents and parent-in-laws preceded her in death.

We are sure Pat would share our enduring gratefulness to her friends for their love and support as well as the care she received from the staff at St. Croix Hospice, Maplewood Terrace, Vernon Manor Nursing Home, and Hirsch Clinic. Pat had many health problems throughout her last few years; without the excellent care and support she received from so many caring individuals, she would not have been able leave us with the dignity and peace she deserved.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 4, 2023, at the Viroqua United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. Pat will be laid to rest at the Viroqua Cemetery. Online Condolences may be expressed at www.vossfh.com.

Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home in Viroqua is serving Pat's family.

123 W Decker Street

Viroqua, WI 54665

(608) 637-2100