Darlene Olson

Darlene Edith Wuethrick Olson, child of God, beloved wife and soul-mate, Mom, Nanna, sister and friend, passed away on Thursday, October 29, 2020, at UW Hospital in Madison. Darlene was born in Sheboygan, WI on November 3, 1941 to Donald “Buddy” and Amalia “Molly” (Hermann) Wuethrick. She graduated from Sheboygan Central High School in 1960, and enrolled in the University of Wisconsin-Madison along with her best friend and fellow cheerleader, Patricia Anderson. They moved into Chadbourne Hall that fall. On January 23, 1965, during the UW Winter break, she married her life-long love Earl Burdette “Burt” Olson, Jr. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sheboygan. They continued to live in Madison where both she and Burt were students. Darlene graduated from UW-Madison in May 1965 with a B.S. in Zoology. After graduation, she worked in a pharmacology lab until their second child was born and she dedicated her life to raising their children. Darlene and Burt loved Madison and they stayed there throughout their entire 55-year marriage.

Darlene was a devout Christian. She was an active member of Bethel Lutheran Church for more than 50 years. In 1976, Darlene completed the two-year teacher training class for the Bethel Bible Series and taught the study for several years with her husband, Burt. She served on the Church Council and several committees at Bethel, was a Bible study leader, Sunday school and Confirmation teacher, food pantry volunteer, and a member of the handbell choir and Creative Worship Singers. Darlene served as a chaperone for many Bethel Youth group service trips, as well as ELCA national youth gatherings. She traveled to Eastern Europe and went on many hiking trips with beloved Bethel friends. Darlene was also a leader in the Via de Cristo Cursillo movement, serving faithfully in every capacity from cooking and cleaning to sharing her faith through her personal testimonies. She was truly a strong witness and spiritual mentor. Darlene and her family were blessed to spend Christmas 1996 in Santa Cruz, Bolivia building a playground for the Mano Amiga orphanage and sharing the gospel of Christ with all of the children they met.

Darlene loved sports. She was a loyal and enthusiastic Badgers fan. Darlene was a season ticket holder for football and was thrilled to attend all seven Rose Bowls from 1963 to 2013. She was also a season ticket holder for Badger basketball and volleyball. Darlene was a lifelong fan and shareholder in the Green Bay Packers. With the adoption of equal sports for men and women in the early 1970s, Darlene became a sports official to encourage the participation of women in sports. She enjoyed working as a WIAA sports official for basketball, volleyball and softball. Darlene was selected to officiate the WIAA State Volleyball Tournaments in 1997, 2002 and 2003. She served on the athletic boards for Blessed Sacrament School and Madison West High School. Darlene was an instructor and supervisor for Madison School & Community Recreation sports officials in volleyball and softball. She was an avid bowler and won an award for bowling an exact 200 game in 1976 to commemorate the 200 year anniversary of the U.S.A. Darlene also enjoyed playing volleyball with Burt in a co-ed league. She instilled a love of volleyball and sports in all of her children. Darlene teamed up with her daughter, Amy, to officiate volleyball for the Special Olympics. She also served as the president of the Madison Sports Hall of Fame Club in 2011.

When her children were old enough to go to school, Darlene worked as a Literacy Specialist at Randall Elementary. She then went on to serve as the Academic and Career Planning Coordinator at Madison West High School. During the summer, Darlene spent much of her time at Shorewood Pool where her kids were on the swimming and diving teams. She and her family also enjoyed a rowdy week for several summers at Moon Beach Family Camp, swimming, fishing, canoeing, doing crafts and skits, singing and praising God! The best memories were created every summer with the extended Olson family at the cottage in Fish Creek, WI.

Darlene loved surprises, was an amazing card player, and could really cut a rug! She had a twinkle in her eye, quick wit, and quite the sweet tooth!

Darlene is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Burt, her daughters, Jill (Peter de Jong), Amy (Marco Guillén), Beth (Dan Haddinger), and her son, Clint. She was the delighted grandmother of six grandchildren: Derek, Jacob, Liam, and Ryan de Jong, Ana and Marco Olson Guillén, Jr., and three step-grandchildren: Benjamin, Hallie, and Owen Haddinger. She is also survived by her brother, Donald (Kathy) Wuethrick, and many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews and nieces. Darlene was preceded in death by her parents. She is fondly remembered by many friends who knew her through her service, work, and activities.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Darlene's name can be made to Adamah Clay Studios of Bethel Horizons (https://www.adamahartstudio.org/donate) and the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center Fund (https://www.adrc.wisc.edu/give).

Darlene wanted to give thanks to the friends, caregivers and neighbors who supported Burt and her through this journey. A private funeral service will be held on Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at 1:00pm.  You are invited to attend Darlene's Memorial Service live streaming on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23iNHvyrhDE

Darlene will be interred at Blossomberg Cemetery in Peninsula State Park in Door County, WI.