David A. Olson

David A. Olson, 82, of Platteville, Wisconsin, passed away on Monday, March 4, 2024 at Upland Hills Health, Dodgeville. Prayer services will be held at 6:00 PM, Monday, March 18, 2024 at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville. Father Dave Flanagan will officiate. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM until the time of the service at the funeral home. Online condolences can be expressed at www.melbyfh.com.
David was born on May 16, 1941 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was the adopted son of Edward and Edith (Turrell) Olson. David grew up in Hanover, Wisconsin attending a one room schoolhouse. He went on to college at the University of Wisconsin Platteville (UWP) where he met his wife, Gail Gardner and they united in marriage on May 30, 1964 in Brookfield, Wisconsin. David graduated from UWP in 1970 and started working in the financial aid office while he obtained his master's degree in counseling. He enjoyed the University of Platteville and stayed on working as manager of the University Bookstore, Assistant Director of the Student Center and then Director of the Student Center. He finished his 33-year career at UWP working as Director of Environmental and Occupational Safety, retiring in 2003.
"Big Dave" enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and camping. He was a serious coin collector and an avid reader. He loved keeping up with the latest technology and sending everyone the "joke of the day". He could fix anything and even enjoyed reading owner's manuals.
David is survived by his wife of 59 years, Gail; two daughters, Cindy (Mark) Meisner and Christine (Edwin) Schulz; five grandchildren, Michael (Liv Prestrud) Schulz, Cale Meisner, Nicole (Bridger) Schulz-Smith, Molly Meisner and Erik Meisner; and his dog "Sunny". He was preceded in death by his parents, sister- Janalee (Larry) Olsen, granddaughter-Carley, and several other close in-laws and friends who he shared life with.
David's family wishes to express their heartfelt appreciation to the kind and caring staff at Upland Hills Health and Upland Hills Hospice in his final weeks of life.