John Olson

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of John Olson, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and respected community member. John passed away peacefully into God’s eternal kingdom on January 24, 2025, at the age of eighty-nine.

John was born on May 31, 1935, in Madison, Wisconsin, to John and Dorothy Olson. As the oldest son, he attended Madison East High School, where he excelled in football, basketball, and track. Inspired by his high school coaches, Herb Mueller and Milt Diehl, John pursued a career in athletic coaching and administration. He was also proud of his Norwegian heritage, which dated back to 1861 when his great-grandfather Karelus (Charles) Olson emigrated to the USA and enlisted in the Union Army.

A lifelong Badger, John earned his Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, completing his doctorate in Educational Administration in 1979. He was a member of the University of Wisconsin Crew Team during his time at the University.

John dedicated his life to education and athletics. He began his coaching career at Madison Central High School in 1959, where his freshmen football teams won championships four years in a row. In 1967, he moved to Madison Memorial High School, serving as Head Football Coach until 1974. Under his leadership, his teams won three Big 8 Conference Championships. John was honored as Big 8 Coach of the Year multiple times and was also recognized as Madison Coach of the Year.

In addition to his coaching career, John served as Assistant Principal at Madison Memorial and later as a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He was employed for 44 years in public education as a teacher, coach, and administrator, teaching at the elementary, junior high, and high school levels. He also prepared aspiring teachers and coaches for careers in education for seven years while teaching at the School of Education at UW-Madison. John left the UW to return to Madison Public Schools, where he became Assistant Superintendent until his retirement in 2000. Upon his “retirement,” John taught online graduate courses in Athletic and Sport Administration for Ohio University and Edgewood College.

John was a member of several professional organizations, including the Wisconsin High School Football Coaches Association and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA). He was the author and editor of three college textbooks and numerous professional journal articles on sports administration. For his instruction and writing in this field, he was inducted into the Madison Sports Hall of Fame, the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and several other prestigious associations.

John's contributions to interscholastic athletics were recognized at the national level when he received the Bruce D. Whitehead Distinguished Service Award from the NIAAA. This prestigious award honors individuals for their length of service, special accomplishments, and contributions to interscholastic athletics at the local, state, and national levels.

John also had a distinguished military career, serving in the United States Navy and the Coast Guard Reserve for 44 years. He was mobilized for Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, and Operation Uphold Democracy, retiring as a captain in 2000. During his service, John played a significant leadership role in the Persian Gulf War, contributing to the establishment and operations of the Port Security Units (PSU), which were essential to ensuring the safe and efficient movement of military and commercial vessels and vital for the logistics and supply chains supporting the coalition forces. He was the recipient of the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Coast Guard Commendation and Achievement Medals, the Navy Commendation Medal, and numerous mobilization awards.

John was preceded in death by his loving wife of 66 years, Marlene (Bakken) Olson; his son, David W. Olson; his parents, John, and Dorothy Olson; and his brother and sister-in-law, Bill, and Peg (Hartman) Olson. He is survived by his children, Laurie (David) Marsh, Dr. Michael (Doug) Olson, and Kristin (Rick) Olson-Huddle; his brothers and sister-in-law , Lowell and Judie Bakken, Jim Bakken, his grandchildren, Ryan (Caitlin) Marsh, Matthew (Emma) Marsh, Katelyn Marsh, Gus Olson-Huddle, and Marlo Olson-Huddle; his great-grandchildren, Cullen Marsh, McCoy Marsh, Reagan Marsh; and his nieces and nephews Amy Olson, Tom (Kelly) Bakken, Jill (Dave) Vitale-Bakken, Kris Milner and Ellen (Richard) Schmidt.

John's legacy of dedication, leadership, and service to countless others will be remembered by all who knew him. The family extends their deepest appreciation to Dr. Gerhard Kraske, Alison Subach, BSN, RN, GERO-BC, the Agrace Age-At-Home team, and the caregivers at Agrace Hospice and for their compassionate support of John over the years and especially during John's final days.

In lieu of flowers donations should be made to either: 

· Madison Public Schools Foundation – MMSD High School Girls & Boys Sports Equity Endowment Fund at MMSD High School Girls and Boys Sports Equity Endowment Fund - Madison Public Schools Foundation (schoolsmakemadison.org) or by mail at Madison Public Schools Foundation, 2005 West Beltline Highway, Suite 203, Madison, WI 53713.

OR

· The National Coast Guard Museum at How to Make a Gift - National Coast Guard Museum Association or by mail at National Coast Guard Museum Association, Inc. 78 Howard Street, Suite A, New London CT 06320 501c (3) Tax ID/EIN: 06 – 1621858

John’s life will be celebrated on Friday, January 31, 2025, at Bethel Lutheran Church, 312 Wisconsin Ave., Madison, WI, where John and Marlene were lifelong members. Family, colleagues, former students, former athletes, former shipmates, and dear friends are invited to join John’s family for visitation at 9:30 AM, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 AM. All are welcome to join John’s family immediately following the service for a luncheon of fellowship and celebration of John’s legacy. The family will hold a private burial later that afternoon.

Please share your memories of John here on his Tribute Wall.

Cress Center

6021 University Ave. Madison

(608) 238-8406