Larry LaDue Olson, 79, of Marshall passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at William S. Middleton Memorial Hospital in Madison. 

Larry was born in Spring Grove, MN on September 22, 1946 to Arden and Silvia (Opsahl) Olson. He grew up in La Crosse, WI, where he attended Logan High School, enjoying summers on the farm with his beloved cousin Bobby (who later died in the service). After briefly studying engineering at UW-La Crosse and the University of Minnesota, Larry was drafted into the US Army, but chose to enlist instead. 

Larry graduated from Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1968. He served as a platoon leader and intelligence officer in the Korean Demilitarized Zone. He then deployed to Vietnam, where he served as a Company Commander with the 101st Airborne Division, leading his men through the realities of combat and remaining on active duty until 1972 with the rank of Captain. Among his most profound duties, Larry served as a Casualty Assistance Officer, where he personally notified 13 families who lost loved ones in active duty — a duty he carried with great seriousness and compassion. 

After returning to civilian life, Larry ventured into entrepreneurship, owning and operating a bar and convenience store in La Crosse. He then returned to service, joining the Wisconsin Army National Guard, where he rose to the rank of Colonel and served as Army Chief of Staff for the Wisconsin National Guard. Following his retirement from active service in 1999, he served for over 13 years in the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs as Executive Assistant to the Adjutant General. Also in 1999, Larry welcomed his son Andrew with Alena, and embraced Irina and Ivan as his own children. Larry was the recipient of numerous military honors, among them the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star, and the State of Wisconsin Meritorious Service Medal. 

Larry had a lifelong passion for golf, sparked by a set of clubs gifted to him in 1978. He also loved watching sports: football, basketball, and in his later years became an enthusiastic fan of the UW-Madison women’s volleyball team. He was a genuine handyman and loved working on his house, always eager for the next DIY project. 

He is survived by his son, Andrew Olson; step-children, Irina Konetzke (Nicholas) and Ivan Alicea (Natallie); and grandchildren, George, Edith, Joseph, Charlie, Peter, and Eliza. 

Larry is preceded in death by parents, Arden and Silvia (Opsahl) Olson; cousin Robert ‘Bobby’ Wennes. 

A funeral service will take place at 12PM on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at Cress Funeral Service, 1310 Emerald Terrace, Sun Prairie, WI 53590. A visitation will take place from 10AM until the time of service. Immediately following the service, military honors will take place outside of the funeral home.