Phyllis Joan Olson
July 24, 1935 – November 19, 2024
Phyllis Joan Olson, 89, of Iola, Wisconsin, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, at the Waupaca Elder Care, where she had been a resident for five years.
She was born on July 24, 1935, in Norske in the Town of Harrison in northern Waupaca County, Wisconsin, to Walter and Thelma (Johnson) Nerdahl.
She attended Brown and Lakeview Elementary School and graduated from Rosholt High School.
After graduation, she moved to Stevens Point and worked at Hardware Mutual Insurance. She married Ronald E. Olson on Nov. 12, 1955, at Northland Lutheran Church. He preceded her in death on April 6, 2009.
After raising her family, she worked at Community Insurance in Iola for many years. She later became a CNA and was an Assistant Activities Director at the Iola Nursing Home, Waupaca Elder Care, and Garden Park Nursing in Waupaca where she loved participating in singalongs with the residents.
Phyllis enjoyed working in her flower garden, going to rummage sales, shopping, and having a good cup of Norwegian gasoline (coffee). She will be remembered for her compassionate heart, warm smile, and selfless dedication to helping those in need. Her Christian faith was central to her life, and she enjoyed teaching Sunday School at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.
She leaves behind a legacy of love and kindness that will live on in the hearts of her surviving family: sons Dr. Jeffrey (Ann) Olson, Mark (Jacci) Olson; grandchildren Katelyn Olson, Chelsea (John) Nicholas, Jonathan (Mercedes) Olson, and Lauren (Erik) Van Newenhizen; and great-grandchildren Stella Harvey, Hudson Nicholas, Archie Nicholas, and Oliver Olson; along with numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives; and special friends Wanda Draeger, Kathy Bestul (Mark’s godmother), and JoAnn Lytle. She was preceded in death by her husband Ronald Olson, brother Thurlow Nerdahl, sister and brother-in-law Clara Mae (James) Knutson, and niece Eileen Knutson.
The Funeral Service will be held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Iola on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 1 p.m. The Rev. Dale Wilson will officiate. Interment will occur next to Ronald at Our Savior’s Lutheran Cemetery in Iola. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
The family would like to thank the entire Waupaca Elder Care and Theda Care Hospice staff for their outstanding and compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in memory of Phyllis.