Home » Obits » Olsen, Leonard “Ole” Jr.

Olsen, Leonard “Ole” Jr.

Leonard “Ole” Olsen, Jr., age 94, formerly of Manawa, went to his heavenly home on Monday, July 24, 2017 at Iola Living Assistance with loving family by his side.

Len was born July 22, 1923, in Pulaski, Wisconsin, son of the late Leonard Olsen Sr. and Grace Schmoll. On August 29, 1947 he married Yvonne Raatz. After serving his country in the U.S. Navy from 1942-1946, he worked on the family farm and was a milk hauler. He also signed up and served his country in the Army from 1950-1951. Later he was a self-employed feeder pig dealer. In his retirement years he helped his son Larry with Classic Wood Works and was well known around the Waupaca County Courthouse as the “recycling guy” as he went floor-to-floor with his big cart picking up the recycling and chatting with the employees. Len was a devoted member of St. Mark Lutheran Church, Symco, where he served as an elder. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially hunting and fishing! Jeremy took his grandpa out in the woods at Big Falls to spend quality time together in search of the big bucks right through his 93rd year. He also took him on the Old Glory Honor Flight this past spring. Len also loved to play UNO. He was a champion at it! Ole always predicted the scores of the Packer games and was usually pretty close. He also loved his special lap companions, Tuffy and Scooter.

Len is survived by his sons, Larry (Sharon), Manawa, and Michael of McKenna, WA; grandchildren, Jeremy Olsen, Marion, Todd (Bonnie) Olsen, Manawa; Tim (Kris) Olsen, New London; Wendy Williams and Scott Olsen of Puyallup, WA. Great-grandchildren,Todd Michael Olsen, Ben and Sam Olsen, and Preston and Mason Williams; Jenna LaFave and Nick LaFave, and great, great-granddaughter, Kali LaFave; sisters, Bea (Wes) Fenske, Estero, FL; Pat Martin, Appleton; Pam (Mike) Burnett, Appleton; brother-in-law, Orlie Pederson, Leopolis; sisters-in-law Georgene Niemuth, Oshkosh and Dolores Meyer, Fremont, numerous nieces and nephews, and special friends, Marvin and June Pethke. He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, parents, sisters, Rae Besaw Saviano and Peggy Pederson, great-granddaughter Grace Olsen, former daughter-in-law, Connie Olsen; brothers-in-law, Rick and Orlando Raatz and Marvin Meyer, sister-and brother-in-law, Gwen and Owen Ory, and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

The funeral service for Len will be held at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Symco on Thursday, July 27, 2017. Pastor Jeffrey Smiles will be officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Military services will be in the Union Cemetery, Symco. The Cline Hanson Dahlke Funeral Home in Manawa is serving the family.

Leonard’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at the Iola Living Assistance for the care and compassion provided to him.

Scroll to Top