Robert W. Olson, 88, of Ellison Bay and Sturgeon Bay, passed peacefully at home on Sunday, June 28th with his loving wife of 61 years by his side after living with pancreatic cancer for the past three years.
He was born on August 16th, 1937, in Sturgeon Bay, the son of the late Clyde and Bessie (Tong) Olson. Bob graduated from Gibraltar High School in 1955. On December 26th, 1964, he married his loving wife Carol Sivertsen. Bob was born into the commercial fishing industry in the family-owned Olson fisheries where he worked until 1955. He left to get his steam boilers license and worked on the lake freighters; one of the memorable projects he worked on was pouring the concrete footings on the mackinaw bridge.
After this, he served in the Army reserves for 7 years. In the reserves he drove trucks and amphibious vehicles, which led to him becoming an over-the-road truck driver. He retired after working for the township of Liberty Grove, at 62 years old.
In retirement, he cultivated a hobby of construction and built three of his own family homes. Bob had a great passion for cars, motorcycles, boating, sailing, bicycling, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, and traveling. He was extremely handy and had a gift for fixing things.
To know Bob was to love him, with his gift of gab and heart for adventure he was always on the go and loved to be outside. Bob and Carol built a beautiful marriage and walked side by side in every adventure for years until cancer did them part. Bob instilled a love of adventure and a go have fun attitude into his two sons, Mark and Pat, through the many trips he and Carol took them on in their travel trailer and tents, and condo in Florida. Many of Bob’s hobbies and talents inspired his sons to follow in his footsteps with the same likes and interests. Generations further, his grandchildren remember Bob best by the countless adventures and childhood memories that he and Carol created throughout the years.
Bob and Carol have kept very strong friend groups throughout their marriage with many couples all over the United States and Canada. He will be dearly missed by his nationwide groups of friends from his motorcycle breakfast group, to his Florida clubhouse friends, and loving church friends and family. Their 26 winters in St. Petersburg, Florida and the friends they made there were especially dear to their hearts. Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Bessie Olson, his brothers James and Michael Olson, sister-in-law Mary Olson, mother and father-in law Mabel and Stanley Sivertsen.
Bob is survived by his loving wife Carol; his son Mark, step-grandson Alex Kirkegaard and family, and step-grandson Macoy Wienke; son Patrick (Sarah) Olson, grandchildren Megan (Jeremy) Jorns, great-grandchildren Barrett and Charlotte Jorns; grandchildren Xavier and V Olson.
Bob’s family would like to extend a thank you to Hospice for their tender care.
Memorials may be directed to Door CANcer Inc. and Bay View Lutheran Church-roof fund. Memorial services will be held at Bay View Lutheran Church on Saturday, July 18th. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am with the service to follow at 11:00 am. Bob will be laid to rest at a later date at Bayside Cemetery in Sturgeon Bay.
Forbes Funeral Home is serving the family.
