Kathleen "Kathy" Olson

Kathy Olson died unexpectedly the morning of September 19, 2026, after a brief illness.  It was her 81st birthday.

The second child of nine, Kathy was raised on her parent’s farm in Viola, Wisconsin.  A 1963 graduate of Viola High School, Kathy worked as a telephone operator in Madison after high school until she married Steve Olson on March 6, 1965, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Viroqua.  

Kathy and Steve started their life in Janesville where Steve worked in construction.  In 1969 they bought the farm where they raised their two sons and where Steve continues to live today. 

In 1976 Kathy joined the North Crawford School District as an Elementary School Aide and worked there until her retirement in 2002.  

Kathy was active with her groups of “Coffee Ladies” and “Stamping Ladies” and was always up for a trip with them or Steve to have lunch in Lansing, thrift in Muscoda, or dinner at the Unique Cafe in Boscobel.  

Kathy is survived by Steve, her husband of 61 years; her sons, Craig (Melissa) and Dan (Anne); her four fabulous granddaughters Lila, EvaMarie, Olivia, & Isabelle; as well as her siblings, Marty, Frank (Susan), Duane (Claire), Melissa, and Ahnamaria (Barbara); and her close friend and neighbor Gesa Ott.  She was predeceased by her parents, Nick and Juanita (Ames) Cina, and brothers Ron, Nick, and Laal.  

Kathy and Steve enjoyed their retirement years and spent many hours driving through the Kickapoo Valley’s ridges and river bottoms “looking for deer,” which was exactly what they did the night before her passing.  

Family will be holding a funeral service on Friday, November 27, 2026, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Gays Mills with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. until the time of service.  In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Soldiers Grove Public Library, North Crawford Rescue Squad, or St. Mary Catholic Church, Gays Mills.

Roth Family Cremation Center and Funeral Services is assisting the family. 

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