Richard ‘Rick’ Olson

Richard Philip “Rick” Olson of Port Washington was born to eternal life on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020, at the age of 77.  He passed after a courageous battle with cancer at home with his family at his side.  

The son of Robert and Josephine Olson, he was born on July 11, 1943, in Kewanee, Ill.  

Rick married the love of his life, Elizabeth “Betty” Laura Christman, on Nov. 27, 1971, in Green Bay, and together they had two children.

Rick considered himself an “Army brat,” spending his childhood on Army bases in Germany and Japan. He attended Sacred Heart Seminary High School in Oneida and graduated in 1961. After high school, he went to St. Francis Major Seminary in Milwaukee and graduated in 1966.  

Rick served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1966 to 1970 as a first lieutenant in the Vietnam War.  

After his military service, Rick attended Herzing Institute in Appleton for computer programming. He worked at Woolworth Central Accounting office in Milwaukee and then joined Simplicity Manufacturing in Port Washington, where he worked 26 years as a systems analyst. He enjoyed his post retirement job at Home Depot in Grafton for eight years.  

Rick was an assistant Scout master for the Boy Scout Troop 875 in the early ’90s and was proud to be a member of the St. John XXIII’s Men’s Society.

He enjoyed traveling to South Africa and Alaska with his wife. Rick was blessed to be escorted by his son Christopher to Washington, D.C., on the September 2019 Stars and Stripes Honor Flight.  

He enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, reading and computers. Rick could often be found riding his lawn and garden tractor and putting his handyman skills to use for friends and family. Some of his favorite things included the Men’s Society Lenten fish fry, a brandy old fashion sour and bubble baths. He would often quote an unwritten Beatitude, “Blessed are those who expect nothing, they shall not be disappointed.” Rick was a quiet man and believed, “If you can’t say it in 25 words or less, it can’t be said.”  

Rick is survived by his wife of 48 years Betty; his children Michelle (Randy) Van Ark and Christopher (Jennifer) Olson; grandchildren Wesley Van Ark, Josie Van Ark and Ella Van Ark, Raelyn Olson and Rollin Olson; and his brother James Olson.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Daniel Olson.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, at St. John XXIII Catholic Parish, St. Peter of Alcantara Church, 1800 N. Wisconsin St., Port Washington, WI 53074, with Father Patrick Wendt presiding.  

Rick will be laid to rest at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Port Washington.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to St. John XXIII Men’s Society, 1800 N. Wisconsin St., Port Washington, WI 53074.

Eernisse Funeral Home of Port Washington is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.