Walter J. Olson

Walter J. Olson, (80), of Deerfield, WI passed away on June 18, 2023.  Walt, also known as “Butch” in his youth, was a longtime Deerfield resident and a graduate of Monona Grove High School and UW-Madison.   

An entrepreneur by nature with an incessant thirst for knowledge, conversation and adventure, Walt, after college, in 1966 joined one of the very first classes in the United States Peace Corp. He was stationed in Saoner, a rural village in India where he met his future wife, Irene during her medical internship.  

Walt is survived by his wife, their two children, Sona and Sanjay, as well as three grandchildren (Briana, Mercer and Kian), his sister, Carolyn (Uriel), his brother-in-law, Sam and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.  He was preceded in death by his parents Wally and Lucy Olson and his sister Jan. 

Walt was a real estate developer and lifelong entrepreneur, loving nothing more than creating neighborhoods, discussing alternative energies, technology, politics and investments.  His grandchildren have inherited his sense of adventure with Briana working for the US State Department, and Mercer and Kian completing their college education with their own plans to follow in his footsteps.  

While Walt left us too soon, his impact will be felt by us and many for years to come – and drives us to carry forward his legacy.   

In lieu of flowers, for those who wish to donate in Walt’s honor, please consider a gift to the  Natural Resources Foundation of WI.

Cress Funeral Services

201 Bue Street, PO Box 376, Deerfield

(608) 764-5369