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Gene Olson Obituary
Gene Olson
1937 - 2023
KENOSHA - Gene Edward Olson passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 23, 2023, at St. Luke's Hospital in Milwaukee, WI. Gene was born on June 29, 1937, in Kenosha, WI.
Gene obtained Valedictorian honors from Salem Central High School in its second ever graduating class in 1955.
Gene obtained a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from UW-Madison in 1960, which pre-empted a successful 60 year career at Snap-On Tools in Kenosha, WI.
Gene was known as the "Father of Flank Drive" at Snap-On and had a successful career as a Chief Engineer and represented Snap-On in various trials throughout the country in the latter part of his career.
Gene was an active member of the First United Methodist Church and was heavily involved including the Kiwanis Club of Western Kenosha, Wisconsin Society of Professional Engineers and 306 Club, as well as serving on the Board of Directors for the Wisconsin Alumni Association, Southeast Wisconsin Blood Bank, and the Hospice Alliance. Gene also regularly volunteered for Meals on Wheels and the Shalom Center in Kenosha.
Gene was a dedicated and loyal husband, father, and grandfather.
Gene is survived by his wife, Arlene whom he married in 1961; sister, Joyce (Ralph) Myers; son, Scott Olson; daughter, Kimberly Graba; grandchildren: Jessica (Mackenzie) Widder, Joseph Olson, Edward Graba; great-grandchild, Clara Widder; step granddaughter, Stephanie Monday; and many step great-grandchildren.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, November 26, 2023, at Proko Funeral Home from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Additional visitation will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 919-60 Street, Kenosha, WI on Monday, November 27, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at North Bristol Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to First United Methodist Church or the Shalom Center.
Proko Funeral Home & Crematory
5111 60th St. 262 654 3533
Visit & Sign Gene's Online Memorial Book At:
Memories and Condolences
for Gene Olson
Carol Becker
December 1, 2023
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. Your memories will live forever as though they were yesterday,but prayers and family will keep you will keep you safe and thankful for the time you had together.
Nellie Frazee
November 29, 2023
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Arlene, I am so very sorry for your loss. My deepest condolences to you and your family.
Jean and Mick Ayers
November 29, 2023
Rest in Peace "GOOD And FAITHFUL SERVANT."
Fondly,
Mick and Jean Ayers
Mike Schmidlkofere
November 26, 2023
Condolences to Arlene and your entire family. Prayers are being said for you.
Gene was one great man who I was fortunate work closely with at Snap-on. He was note only a co-employee, but a friend. He was a genuine, humble, and very smart man. I saw him in action numerous times. He made my job a Snap-on so much easier when working with us as a consulting engineer. I enjoyed going to lunch with him over the last handful of years making the trip down to Kenosha just to do so. I only wish that we could have gotten together before I left for FL the day before he became ill. I was the one to cancel and now I feel awful for doing so.
RIP Gene as your memory will live within me for years.
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Olatoye Baiyewu
November 26, 2023
Thank you for letting me be part of your Meals on Wheels team. You are the real Renaissance Man. I'll miss you.
Kathleen J Reyheart
November 26, 2023
My sympathy to Kim and family.
David Lauer
November 26, 2023
The most intelligent person I have ever met. And yet such a humble man. I cannot imagine Snap-on Tools if "The Father of Flank Drive" had hired on somewhere else. We connected up again at Relay For Life. My deepest sympathies go out to all of Gene's family and friends as I reflect on what a blessing we all had to have Gene in our lives. Rest in peace, Gene. You did a great job in your time here.
Lois A. Mazur (Doerflinger)
November 26, 2023
So sorry for your loss I went to Central HIgh school with Gene, very nice man.
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