Jean Oliversen

Jean Kittleson Oliversen, age 88, died on January 18, 2021 at St. Mary’s Hospital due to bacterial pneumonia and COVID-19, in addition to other health issues.  Jean was born on Feb. 23, 1932, to Arthur and Magda (Nelson) Kittleson of Madison, Wisconsin, a few hours after her twin, Janice Kittleson Kelly.  Jean was one of nine children in the family.  Jean went to elementary school in Stoughton Wisconsin, where she and her twin sisters were one of five sets of twins in the school at that time.  Her family moved back to Madison, where she attended and graduated from Central High School, Class of 1950.  She worked at Rentschler Floral Co. on State Street in Madison until she married Otto Oliversen Jr. in October 1954.  They had five children together and while raising her children she also worked at various Flowerama locations and cashiered at Knoche’s Food Store.

Jean was a very social person and was always ready for a cup of coffee, a chat or a hand of cards.  She belonged to a Card Club that, up until a few years ago, had gotten together monthly for over 30 years. After her children had grown up and moved away, most Saturday mornings were started by eating weird breakfast dishes and playing cribbage with two of her sisters, Greta and Jan.  And sometimes they would let Otto play too.

After Otto died in 1996, Jean took over his job at Madison Christian Community as custodian and her favorite tool was the vacuum cleaner.  The staff at MCC were part of her extended family, and, since she had been a member of Advent Lutheran Church since the early 1960’s, most of the members of both congregations were dear and valued friends.  Jean valued both congregations at MCC for their commitment to community, diversity and their faith.

Jean also loved to travel but preferred to let others drive the long distances.  Her preferred method to visit family in other parts of the country was by train.  She was able to talk various family members into sharing her adventures; her husband, children, and grandchildren, but most often two of her sisters..  In later years, one of her nieces joined the Traveling Sisters group and they would drive to the east coast to visit family.

So many of her family members have gone ahead before her it would take quite a bit of space to list them all. She is survived by one brother, one sister, two dearly-loved sisters-in-law, her remaining children Karen Cooke, Heidi, Paul and Philip (Rocio) Oliversen, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren and many extended family members and friends.

Many thanks to the excellent care and support by the staff at St. Mary’s Hospital, 7SW and 8SW and at St. Mary’s Care Center.

A virtual Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, February 21, 2021 at 11:30 am.  Go to www.themcc.net to access the link to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Advent Lutheran Church/Madison Christian Community or to St. Mary’s Guardian Angel foundation.