James Olson

Stoughton- James Percy Olson, age 49, passed away quietly at his home on Tuesday, August 26, 2014. He was born in Stoughton on September 6, 1964, the son of Roger and Donna (Leslie) Olson. A lifelong Dunkirk resident, Jim graduated from Stoughton High School in 1983 where he was active with the Norwegian Dancers, 4H, FFA and lettered in wrestling, track and cross country. He continued his education at UW-River Falls and received a degree in Animal Science in 1987. While attending UW-River Falls Jim enjoyed being active in the Dairy Club and served as Vice President and President. Upon returning home from college he continued his passion for agriculture and dedicated his life to farming. Along with his family they ran Hanerville Acres, Inc. Jim served as a Dairy Leader for 4H for 10 years. Following a water skiing accident in 1997 which left him unable to farm, Jim worked as an Agricultural Consultant for Agri-Business Consultants of Cambridge. He later worked for UW-Madison Center for Dairy Profitability on a financial study tracking dairy farms across the Midwest for nine years. Jim served on the Dunkirk Plan Commission for 11 years, and most recently worked for the Miller family at ISADEX in Stoughton. Without the help of an excellent staff of nurses and support of his family and friends, none of this would have been possible. Throughout his life Jim surrounded himself with what he felt was most important. A personal trust in God, a love for his family and friends, the farm, and his community. He is survived by his mother, Donna Olson; sister, Nancy Grabowski; brother, Doug (Lisa) Olson; sister, Cathy (Dan) Furseth; nine nieces and nephews; six great nieces and nephews; and an uncle, aunts and cousins. Jim was preceded in death by his father, Roger; infant sister, Mary; brother, David; and uncle, Paul N. Olson, and other special uncles and aunt. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, September 1, 2014 at First Lutheran Church, 310 E. Washington Street, Stoughton, with Rev. Bill Lehman officiating. Burial will follow in Wheeler Prairie Cemetery. Friends and relatives are invited to a luncheon in the church fellowship hall. Visitation will be held from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM on Sunday, August 31, 2014 at Cress Funeral Home in Stoughton and from 9:30 AM until the time of services at church on Monday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Stoughton Junior Fair or First Lutheran Church of Stoughton. Please share your memories.
Cress Funeral Service
206 W. Prospect Street
Stoughton, WI 53589
(608) 873-9244