Earl "Burt" Olson Jr.

MADISON—Earl Burdette “Burt” Olson, Jr., child of God, beloved husband and soul-mate, Dad, Papa Grandpa, brother and friend, passed away on Friday, September 12, 2025. Burt was born in Chicago, IL on October 2, 1939 to Earl Burdette “Bert” Olson, Sr. and Helen (Fillman) Olson. He graduated from York High School in Elmhurst, IL in 1957, and enrolled at the University of Chicago, where he studied Biochemistry and graduated with a B.S. in 1961. Burt then entered graduate school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he was blessed to be introduced to Darlene Wuethrick on Langdon Street. They began a life-long romance and on January 23, 1965, during the UW Winter break, he and Darlene were married at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sheboygan, WI. Darlene and Burt loved Madison, and they lived there throughout their entire 55-year marriage.

Burt graduated from UW-Madison in May 1965 with a master’s degree in Biochemistry. He worked at the John F. Kennedy Lab run by Harry Waisman for two years and then worked in the VA Hospital doing research. Burt returned to his Biochem studies in 1967 in the lab of Hector F. DeLuca, and earned his PhD in 1969. After graduation, Burt was hired by the UW Medical School Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor researching lung function and surfactant in premature infants. After a few years, Burt moved from Pediatrics to the Department of Population Health Sciences. Burt dedicated his career at UW to research on lung development and understanding how the brain controls breathing. He was also a beloved teacher of undergraduate and graduate students in Environmental Toxicology and the School of Public Health for decades. He retired in 2008 but continued teaching until 2018.

Burt was a devout Christian. He was an active member of Bethel Lutheran Church for more than 55 years. In 1976, Burt completed the two-year teacher training class for the Bethel Bible Series and taught the study for many years. He also served for years on the Church Council and several committees at Bethel, was a Bible study leader, Sunday school and Confirmation teacher, Bethel Builds volunteer, and a member of the handbell choir and Creative Worship Singers. Burt served as a chaperone for many Bethel Youth Group service trips, including a memorable trip to West Virginia for a work camp. Burt and his family were blessed to spend Christmas 1996 in Santa Cruz, Bolivia building a playground for the Mano Amiga orphanage and sharing the love of Christ with all of the children. Burt and Darlene traveled to Eastern Europe and went on many hiking trips with beloved Bethel friends. Burt was also a leader in the Via de Cristo Cursillo movement, serving faithfully in every capacity from cooking and cleaning to sharing his faith through his personal testimonies, and as a prayer warrior. He was truly a strong witness and spiritual mentor throughout his life, continuing to share prayers and God’s love with his caregivers and many visitors at Oakwood Village in the last years of his life.

Burt loved sports. He was a loyal and enthusiastic Badgers fan. Burt and Darlene were season ticket holders for football, basketball and volleyball for decades. They were always thrilled to travel with the teams and enjoyed several Rose Bowls and Maui Invitationals. Burt also grew to be a fan of the Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers. Burt joined Darlene in her love of officiating, and they were a strong softball umpiring team for Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR). They were even interviewed for a story in the Wisconsin State Journal on their umpiring partnership. Burt enjoyed recreational softball and played for years with UW colleagues. He also enjoyed playing volleyball with Darlene in a co-ed MSCR league team.

Growing up, Burt and his siblings spent summers in Door County at the cottage built by his father in Fish Creek, where Burt grew to love the outdoors and fishing. Over the years, Burt and the extended Olson family created the best memories every summer at the cottage – fishing, playing cards and shuffleboard, singing, laughing, doing chores, eating and celebrating Olson Christmas. Burt, Darlene and their children also enjoyed a rowdy week for several summers at Moon Beach Family Camp, swimming, fishing, canoeing, doing crafts and skits, singing and praising God! Burt loved singing songs while playing guitar or piano, fishing with his brothers and best friends, playing card games (especially euchre), and dancing with Darlene. His easy laughter and capacity for dad jokes endeared him to all his grandchildren.

Burt is survived by his daughters, Jill (Peter de Jong), Amy (Marco Guillén), Beth (Dan Haddinger), and his son, Clint. He was the proud grandfather of six grandchildren: Derek, Jacob, Liam, and Ryan de Jong, Ana and Marco Olson Guillén, Jr., and three step-grandchildren: Benjamin, Hallie, and Owen Haddinger. He is also survived by his brothers and sister, John (Jerre) Olson, Will (Dottie) Olson, Phyllis (Keith) Hand, Marty (Cathy) Olson, and Bob (Kitty) Olson, and his brother-in-law, Don (Kathy) Wuethrick as well as many nephews and nieces. Burt was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Darlene and his parents. He is fondly remembered by many friends and colleagues who knew him through his service, work, and activities in both Christian and academic communities in Madison, across Wisconsin and the world.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Burt’s name can be made to Adamah Clay Studios of Bethel Horizons https://www.adamahartstudio.org/donate, the Media Ministry at Bethel Lutheran Church https://www.bethel-madison.org/give/pledge-donate-online/ select “Bethel Media Support” and the UW Health Carbone Cancer Center https://give.wiscmedicine.org/fundraiser/6672802.

Burt and his family thank God for the friends, caregivers and neighbors who supported him through this journey, especially the providers and staff at UW Health, Agrace Hospice and Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge HRC.

Burt's Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 11:00 am at Bethel Lutheran Church, 312 Wisconsin Ave, Madison, WI, with visitation at 9:00-11:00am and lunch reception following the service in Borgwardt Hall. 

The service will be live streamed on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@BethelLutheranTV/streams.

Burt will be interred along with his wife Darlene at Blossomberg Cemetery in Peninsula State Park in Door County, WI.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road, Madison

(608) 238-3434