Laverne Olson

Stoughton- LaVerne Olson "Libby", age 84, passed to eternal life on September 19, 2011 at Heritage Center, Skaalen Home in Stoughton. Libby fought a positive and diligent battle with cancer for five courageous years. He was born on November 27, 1926 to Hazel (Olson) and Sigurd Olson in Stoughton. During his final year of high school he met and fell for "the new girl in town", Donna Jeanne Olson. They were united in marriage on August 2, 1947 at St. Bernard's church in Madison, and spent nearly 62 years together before her death in 2009. Libby was a baker by trade and worked at two Stoughton bakeries during the early years of their marriage. In the early 1950's he joined the staff of Madison Newspapers Inc, as a district circulation manager, which began nearly 42 years of work and dedication in the newspaper business. In 1958 the Olsons and their two daughters moved to El Cajon,, California, where he worked for the El Cajon Valley News, before returning to Wisconsin in 1965, and back to Madison Newspapers, retiring in 1992. After retirement he drove the Stoughton Cab for many years, enjoying his work back in Stoughton and creating many fond memories with favorite customers. His signature Buick with the "Libby O" license was a fixture in the Vennevoll and Skaalen community. He enjoyed his new friendships made at Skaalen and was especially happy to become the neighbor of his cousin Ruby Hanson. He is survived by his 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 8 great-grand children, including his "special baby" James Francis McCarthy. He is further survived by his brothers, Sigurd Jr, and Roger Olson of Stoughton; sister in laws, Jackie (Joseph) Sweeney and Pat Ray; and many special nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna Jeanne, his parents, sisters Patricia Thorpe, and Lorraine Femrite, and a brother, Herbert Olson. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 AM on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at St. Ann Catholic Church, 323 N. Van Buren, Stoughton, with Monsignor Gerard Healy officiating. Burial will follow in St. Ann Cemetery. The family will greet friends on Friday, September 23, 2011 from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM at the Cress Funeral Home in Stoughton, and again at church on Saturday from 10:30 until the time of service. The family extends their sincere gratitude to all Heritage Center caretakers, Care Wisconsin, HospiceCare Inc, Dr. Joyce Brehm, Pastor Koza, and our Dad's special mentor Monsignor Gerard Healy, who was with him in prayer throughout his spiritual journey. "We will miss you Dad, but your Norwegian heritage and pride will stay with us all."