Clarence Olson

Clarence C. Olson died where he was born, October 28, 2020, in Westby, WI.  Clarence was born on January 2, 1923 to Otto and Ella Olson on the family farm homesteaded in 1848.  He attended a country school and graduated from Westby High School with honors in 1942.  He attended Platteville State Teachers College, leaving to join the Navy in during WWII.  In the Navy he was a member of the V-12 program where he played in its concert, marching, ceremonial and dance bands.  Upon discharge he enrolled in the University of Minnesota, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Dairy Science, Master’s degree in Genetics and later a PhD in Nutrition.

Clarence began his employment as an Extension dairyman at the North Dakota State University, in Fargo, ND, where he led programs to revitalize the dairy industry after WWII.  He was joined by his new wife Louise where they parented their four children.  In 1961 he joined the University of Wisconsin Dairy Science Dept. as a leader of educational and training programs for the National Dairy Herd Improvement (DHIA) program.  Under his leadership, participation by farmers increased to include well over half of all dairymen in the state, and average milk production per cow more than doubled.  His major accomplishment was to replace the Babcock test for measuring butterfat in milk with a quick, highly accurate test that was immediately adopted by the dairy industry nationwide.

Come summer, he would load up the camping trailer, and his family would be off to judge county fairs.  Clarence greatly influenced the history of county fairs by organizing training conferences for those aspiring to become judges.  At farms, he would assemble classes for practice judging and evaluate their skills.  With this data, the educational value of fairs and the benefits of the dairy 4-H program were greatly increased.  In his career, he judged over 300 county fairs and numerous regional and state fairs.

Clarence was the consummate educator and recognized that farm women were not receiving the knowledge needed to be the partner of a successful farm.  So, he organized Dairy Schools for Farm Women.  Under the theme, "Partners in Better Farming” nearly 10,000 farm women received diplomas from this training designed to make them proficient in decision making and farm skills.

He was honored many times with state and national awards for his innovative programs:  Extensions’ Second Mile Award, State and National Man of the Year awards, the American Diary Science Program Award, Meritorious Service-AJCA, Industry Pioneer Award, DHIA Training Excellence and Emeritus Professor.

In retirement, Clarence became proficient in Norwegian rosemaling art and won numerous awards at state and national shows for his basic and original designs.

Clarence was active in his community as a member of: Bethany United Methodist Church, its choir, Trout Unlimited, Ygdrasil Literary Society, Epsilon Sigma Phi, Middleton-Ionic Lodge, Scottish Rite and 32nd Degree Masons.  He was especially committed to Boy Scouting where he earned the Council’s Award of Merit, Silver Beaver and Lifetime Achievement Awards.  He twice received the National Scoutmaster of the Year Award.

Clarence was an avid gardener and his vegetables, fruits and flowers knew no bounds.  He taught these skills to his family so that they too would enjoy the year ‘round benefits.  He was a devoted husband of 72 years.  He loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren dearly and was active with them in their careers and activities.

Clarence is survived by children, Janet Johnson, James (Heidi) Olson, David (Liz) Olson, and Donna (James) Zarek; grandchildren, Kjersten (Mitchell) Walleser, Annika Olson, Thomas Olson, Erik (Jorie) Olson, Ryan (Justin) Olson, Jessie (Adam) Miller and Kristi (Kevin) Wright; and great-grandchildren, Soren Walleser, Maggie, Aidan and Logan Miller, Nora, Andrew and Zachary Wright and Denver Olson; sister Ruth (Jerry) Apps; numerous nieces and nephews as well as many colleagues and friends.

Clarence was preceded in death by his wife Louise, siblings Pearl (Arnold) Johnson, Jean Olson, Burton (Maxine) Olson; son-in-law Dale Johnson.

The family would like to thank the staff of The Gardens Independent Living for their care and support.

Memorials may be made to Bethany United Methodist Church, Glacier’s Edge Council Boy Scouts of America, or UW School of Agriculture.

A PRIVATE Masonic Funeral Service will be held on November 4, 2020 at 12:15pm.  Zoom link for the Masonic Service is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84853085416 and a PRIVATE Graveside Service will take place at 1:00pm and the zoom link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81246782184 .