Roger N. Olson

Roger N. Olson, age 80, passed away at Stoughton Hospital, surrounded by his family, following a brief illness on Wednesday, September 1, 2010.   He was born on February 20, 1930, a son of Percy L. and Beatrice (Nelson) Olson.   Roger attended Hanerville Country School and graduated with honors from Stoughton High School in 1948.   He attended UW Madison for 2 years before returning home to take over the family farm.   For a number of years, he played on the Pleasant Hill Home Talent Baseball Team.   Roger married Donna L. Leslie on October 6, 1951, and together they had 6 children.   He farmed in the Town of Dunkirk his whole life.   During those years, Roger served on the board of the Farmer's Union Cooperative (currently Landmark Services Cooperative in Cottage Grove) for over 20 years as a Director and President.   He and several local farmers co-owned Country Boy Dairy in Stoughton.   He was a Supervisor on the Dunkirk Town Board from 1955-1977 and Town Chairman from 1977-1989.   Roger is survived by his wife of 59 years, Donna; 4 children, Nancy (Robert) Grabowski of Mansfield, Texas, Douglas (Lisa), Catherine (Daniel) Furseth, and James, all of Stoughton; a twin brother, Paul N. Olson of Stoughton; Nine grandchildren, Bryce, Wren and Garon Grabowski, Audra (Ryan) Dalsoren, Brett (Danielle) Olson, Mindy Olson (Mark Halverson), Lexi Argall, Dustin Furseth (Hannah Dahlquist) and Jenna Furseth.   2 great-grandchildren, Brenna and Braden Dalsoren.   He is further survived by a brother-in-law James (Betty) Leslie of Kalispell, Montana; sister in law, Barbara ( Warren) Weinberg of Huntley, Illinois; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.   Roger was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Marjorie Jordan; and brother-in law, Louis Jordan, a son, David, and an infant daughter, Mary.   Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 6, 2010 at 1:30 pm at First Lutheran Church in Stoughton, with the Rev. Richard Halom officiating.   Burial will follow at Eastside Cemetery.   The family will greet friends at church on Monday from 11:30 am until the time of service.   Friends and relatives are invited to a luncheon at church following services at the cemetery.   Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials in Roger's name to First Lutheran Church, or to Stoughton Hospital.