Carol M. Olson

Carol M. Olson of Menomonie, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 with her loving family by her side.
Mother Olson, as she was affectionately called by so many that she guided throughout the years, lived her life as a strong faithful woman, always putting God and the love of her family first.
Carol was born August 13, 1933 to Lloyd and Ruth (Jensen) Stoeklen, the second eldest in a family of ten children. Carol attended Menomonie High School and met the love of her life, Jim Olson on the street corner in front of Lee's Drug store. Jim would often say that Carol played hard to get, but he knew that she was the one he was going to marry. Especially after the many nights spent dancing at the 400 Club.
Shortly after graduation, on June 24, 1953, Carol and Jim married at the Calvary Lutheran Church and began their life together. They purchased a farm south of Menomonie and worked side by side through the years, raising their five children and pursuing many different adventures. One adventure included expanding the farm operation to poultry; Carol was quite an egg collector, gathering over 5,000 eggs daily. Needless to say, Sunday night suppers were always fried egg sandwiches and hot cocoa, a wonderful tradition that still lives on!
In 1976, Jim and Carol built the Rolling Wheels skating rink in Menomonie and with this, expanded her family a bit with her deep connections and genuine love for all the kids and teenagers that walked through the door; they all knew that Mother Olson would keep order, but also give hugs freely.
Jim and Carol always made time for each other, traveling to Europe, several trips to Hawaii, and certainly enjoying their time spent in Tucson, Arizona. Wherever they traveled, strangers quickly became lifelong friends.
Carol was an active member of New Hope Lutheran Church in Downsville and the Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Tucson; proudly acting as an ELCA representative for the woman's council, developing the programs for Mother-Daughter teas, teaching Sunday School, participating in the annual Crop Hunger Walk and raising funds to send church kids to camp, just to name a few.
Carol's most cherished time was spent with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Whether it be snacks for the kids or pie for her sisters, Carol loved entertaining, especially after a fiery game of cards or dominoes. Carol liked to win, as all those that played with her can attest!
The way Carol lived her life served as a wonderful example to the many people who surrounded her. She will be sadly missed by her husband, Jim, of Menomonie; five children, Bruce (Teresa) Olson of Menomonie, Cynthia (Sam) Woods of Tucson, Carla Olson of Menomonie, and Courtney (Lisa) Olson of Menomonie; Thirteen grandchildren; Twenty-one great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; five sisters, Nancy Shubert, Patricia Lehman, Connie Boone-Rouse, Sandy Decker, RoxAnn Milward, and one brother, Randal Weiss.
Carol was preceded in death by her mother Ruth Weiss, father Lloyd Stoeklen, daughter Hollie Helminski, Granddaughter Ambur, great-grandson Dravin, and brothers Paul, Bruce, and Rick.
A funeral service will be held on Sunday, September 22, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. at New Hope Lutheran Church in Downsville, WI with Pastor Brian Pratt officiating. Visitation and viewing will be from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. at the church, with a luncheon following the service. Burial will be at Grandview Cemetery at a later date.