Joseph T. Olson, 86, of Winchester, died Thursday, October 25, 2018, at Park View Health Center, Oshkosh. He was born December 31, 1931, in Winchester, a son of the late Oscar and Beata Olson. On April 30, 1955, he married Carla (Rubbert) at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Winneconne. They shared 63 years of marriage, and had six children.
Joe farmed his entire life, from childhood to recent years, on the family farmstead in Winchester. He was a 1949 graduate of Winneconne High School. He was an avid outdoorsman. His adventures included hunting and fishing, snowmobile racing and trail riding, and dog sledding. Joseph also loved his horses, raising and training American Quarter Horses and Belgians which pulled his collection of restored vintage wagons in local parades. In his later years, he loved attending his grandchildren's sporting events, loudly cheering them on.
Joe also was a member of the Symco Threshermen's Club for many years, sharing his love of old tractors and the threshing way-of-life. He continued sharing his love of all things old and historic as President of the Winchester Area Historical Society and the Fox Valley Two-Cylinder Club. He organized and directed many local threshing events. In recent years, he participated in the antique tractor crossings of the Mackinac Bridge and the SS Badger Ferry.
Joe also gave extensively to his community, serving as a Boy Scout leader, as Winchester Town Board Chairman (1975-1981) and Winnebago County Board Supervisor (1978-1982). He also served on the County Agriculture, Extension and Education Committee, Soil and Water Conservation District, Industrial Development Board, and the Solid Waste Management Board. His influence and effectiveness was far reaching during his political career, including speaking to the Wisconsin Legislature in Madison resulting in the passage of the Farmland Preservation Program.
He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Carla Olson; their six children: Matthew Olson, Jonathan (Shelley) Olson, Theodore (Jennifer) Olson, Thomas (Sue) Olson, Charles Olson, and Holly (fiancé Mark Johnson) Olson; fourteen grandchildren: Luke (Greta) Olson, Ryan (Celia) Zeinert, Alissa Olson, Taylor (Alayna) Olson, Mitchell Olson, Jordan Olson, Adam (fiancée Tiffany Tellock) Stevens, Noah Stevens, Parry Olson, and Gloria Olson; seven great-grandchildren: Orion, Avery, Elliot, and Aurora Olson; Evan Olson; and Kaya Olson; sisters-in-law, Shirley Olson, Delores Rubbert; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
Joseph was further preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Carl and Milly Rubbert; sisters and brothers-in-law, Elaine and Glenn Olson; and Helen and Byron Bacon; brother, Harley Olson; and brother-in-law Gary Rubbert.
A visitation for family and friends will be on Monday, October 29, 2018, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Mueller Funeral Home 904 E. Main St. Winneconne. Visitation will continue on Tuesday, October 30 from 9:00 until 10:45 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church of Winchester 8396 Steeple Hill Dr. Larsen, Wisconsin. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. at the church with Pastor Connie Bramlett officiating. Burial will follow in the Grace Lutheran Cemetery, Winchester.
The family would like to extend special thanks for the loving care Joseph received from the staff of ThedaCare at Home, ThedaCare Hospice, and Park View Health Center.
If you wish please submit online condolences to muellerfuneralhomeinc.com.