Ronald P. Olson

Coon Valley Ronald P. Olson, 65, of Coon Valley, died Tuesday, May 23, 2017. Ronald P. Olson, 65, of Coon Valley died at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse on Tuesday, May 23, 2017. He was born September 23, 1951, to Paul and Blanche Olson in Black River Falls. Ron married Kristine Thompson on August 23, 1975 at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Black River Falls. He graduated from Black River Falls High School, Class of 1969. After completing high school, Ron attended the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and graduated in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science in Geography with an emphasis in Resource Management. Right after graduation, Ron began his career with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources at the Black River State Forest. Over the course of his thirty-three year career at the DNR, he served in many roles including as a fire tower observer, park ranger, area land agent, and statewide review appraiser. Ron was especially proud of his work related to the acquisition of lands used for trout streams, state parks, and bike trails. After retiring, he opened his own appraisal business, Real Estate Services, and continued engaging in appraisal work up until his death. For the past thirteen years, Rons favorite job was being a GRANDPA. He is survived by: his wife of 41 years, Kristine; his mother, Blanche Olson of Black River Falls; two daughters, Leah (Eric) Olson-McBride of Eau Claire and Laura (Jason) Rohowetz of Oconomowoc; and five beloved grandchildren, Tyler, Brock, Samuel, Sophia, and Logan. Ron is also survived by two sisters, Ellen (Charles) Phillips of Marysville WA and Mary (Tim) Dement of Baraboo; one brother, Tom (Linda) Olson of Black River Falls; two brothers-in-law, Charles (Marcia) Thompson of Evansville and David (Bonnie) Thompson of Pigeon Falls; and a special cousin, Calvin Olson of Black River Falls. He was preceded in death by: his father, Paul Olson, and his in-laws, Bernard and Harriet Thompson. Funeral Services will be held at 11am on Friday, May 26, 2017 at the Westby Coon Prairie Church. Pastor Daniel Wollman will officiate with burial to follow in the Coon Prairie Cemetery. Friends may call from 5-7pm on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at the Vosseteig Funeral Home in Westby. Friends may also call at the church from 10 am till the time of service at 11. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Fine Arts Foundation of the Westby Area for the Community Performing Arts Center or to the General Maintenance Fund at Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church. Online Condolences may be offered at www.VossFH.com The Vosseteig Funeral Home, 708 S. Main St. in Westby is serving the family.