David Alfred Olig

MADISONDavid Alfred Olig, age 85, died on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, from complications of Lewy Body dementia. He left all he touched the quiet example of a life lived with humility, compassion and commitment; to his God, his family, his church, his country, the poor and the homeless. Dave was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin on April 9, 1923, the youngest of six children born to Philip Peter and Julia Gertruda (Steffen) Olig. After graduation from high school, he enlisted in the army serving as a medic in the 78^th Infantry Division on the German front. During the Battle of the Bulge, Dave and members of his unit were caught behind enemy lines for three days before being rescued. On March 7 and 8, 1945 he was involved in the taking of the Ludendorff Bridge over the Rhine River. Called the Miracle at Remagen, the capture of the bridge opened the way for allied troops to drive into the heart of Germany. His experience in war left him with life-long nightmares about the horrors he had seen. But he also reminisced about a Christmas mass in the cathedral in Cologne, Germany and the beauty and peace of that moment. After his military service, Dave graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in business. On August 26, 1950, he married Elizabeth (Bette) Agnes Baker in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. The family settled in Fond du Lac where Dave became a partner in Dallman and Cooper, a department store specializing in hardware, paint, toys, sporting goods and housewares. Their dreams of a comfortable life in their home town were shattered on May 4, 1964 when the business was destroyed by a devastating fire. Dave and Bette, with their family, moved to Madison where Dave worked as a sales rep for the West Bend Co. and then as the retail manager for Klein Dickert, on Regent Street, until his retirement. After retirement he worked for Meriter Hospital General Medical labs as a courier. Dave and Bette have been active members of Blessed Sacrament church. There is hardly a wall on the church campus that has not been painted or wallpapered by Dave at least once. Dave has been a member of the Monday Morning Men's Group for over 26 years. He started the Coffee and Doughnuts program after Sunday Mass. Over the years he has served as an usher, a server at funeral Masses, a member of the choir, a Eucharistic minister, a member of the Building and Grounds committee and the Finance committee. He has taught CCD classes, welcomed new parishioners into the parish and helped with the Senior Meal Program. As a couple, they have also had a long-standing commitment to those in need in the Madison community. For many years they helped sponsor Bingo parties for the residents at the Dane County Hospital in Verona. Both he and Bette have been involved in the meal programs for St. Paul's University Center, Luke House and the homeless shelter at Grace Episcopal Church. Dave also worked with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, visiting the homes of those requesting aid to assess their needs. He has been involved in Angel Tree, a program to provide Christmas gifts to the children of men and women serving time in prison. He has left a legacy of compassion and care to all he has touched. Even after his dementia began to affect his life, he would frequently voice his greatest desire; that he only wanted to be able to help others. In death, he continued his legacy of caring for others by becoming an organ donor. Dave is survived by his wife of 58 years; Bette and their five children: Dave (Cathy), Pete (Sheila), Julie (Kyle) Rentmeester, Mary T. (Bill) Drifke and Joe. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Mike (Jill), Chris, Alex, Matt, Lindsay and Bridget Olig and Jessica and Allie Rentmeester. He is survived by one great grandchild; Will Olig. He will be missed by Darrel Iron Shooter, an ""adopted"" son who spent summers with the family as a teen. He was preceded in death by a stillborn daughter; Mary Elizabeth, his parents, four sisters; Valeria, Alma, Brigetta and Marion and a brother, Rubin who died as a young child. A visitation will be held from 2:00 to 5:00 PM on Sunday, November 2, at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, November 3, 2008, at BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2115 Rowley Avenue, Madison, with a visitation held one hour prior to the service at the church. To celebrate Dave's life, the family requests that memorials be made to St. Vincent de Paul, the Alzheimer's Association, Hospice Care or a charity of your choice. The family would also like to extend a special thanks to the staff at the Alzheimer's Association of Madison; Willow Pointe Memory Care in Stoughton; Don and Marilyn Anderson Hospice Care and the Blessed Sacrament community. We will miss you Slim!

""Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25: 34-40