Donna Jeanne 'Nean' Olson

Donna Jeanne Olson, ""Nean"", age 81, passed to eternal life on April 23, 2009 at Skaalen Home in Stoughton.   She was born on October 17, 1927 to Margery (Contell) and Carroll Ray in Prairie du Chien.   Along with her parents, sisters and brother, she was part of the ""Ray's Sunshine Kiddie's Revue"", a family vaudeville touring group.   Donna Jeanne specialized in on-pointe tap and singing.   Her family moved to Stoughton during her high school years, and it was there that she later met and fell in love with her future husband LaVerne Libby' Olson.   They were united in marriage on August 2, 1947 at St. Bernard's church in Madison.   Donna Jeanne and Libby moved to El Cajon, California in 1958, where they spent many enjoyable years raising their family.   They returned to the Madison area in 1965, and eventually settled in Stoughton.   Being a wife, mother and grandmother was her greatest joy in life.   She most enjoyed planning and hostessing both large and small family parties.   She believed in celebrating all of life's milestones, and every Sunday was ""family day"".   After raising her daughters, she worked for several years at Meriter Hospital, and then at Madison Newspapers.   Donna Jeanne read the newspaper daily from cover to cover, and loved bird-watching and her flower gardens.   She is survived by her husband of 61 years, daughters, Denise (Steve) Hlavka of Stoughton, and Debbie (Ray) Reffue of Roscoe, Illinois; grandchildren, Heather Hlavka (Kevin McCarthy) of Milwaukee, Benjamin Hlavka of St. Louis, MO, Jason (Holley) Reffue of Tennessee, Julian Reffue of Louisiana, Miguel Reffue of Illinois; and 7 great-grandchildren.   She is further survived by her sister, Jackie (Joe) Sweeney; sister-in-law, Pat Ray, her brothers in law; and many special nieces and nephews.   She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Gloria Toubl, and brother Gareth Ray.   Special friend, Linda Handel passed away the same day, and they will travel together to heaven as they often did here on earth.   The family extends their sincere gratitude and appreciation for Donna Jeanne's special care givers, the angels of Skaalen Home, Care Wisconsin, HospiceCare, Inc., Dr. Joyce Brehm, and Monsignor Gerard Healy.   A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, April 27, 2009 at 11:00 am at St. Ann Catholic Church, 323 N. Van Buren St., Stoughton with Monsignor Gerard Healy officiating.   Burial will follow at St. Ann Cemetery in Stoughton.   The family will greet friends on Sunday, April 26 from 4-6 pm at the Olson-Holzhuter-Cress Funeral Home in Stoughton, and again at church on Monday from 10 am until the time of service.