With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Joseph R. Olson, who departed this world peacefully on Friday, March 13, 2026, at the age of 91. He was born on January 1, 1935, to Clifford (Kip) and Alice Joan (Doyle) Olson. Joe was a proud graduate of Dodgeville High School, Class of ’53, and captain of the Championship 1951-52 football team.
Joe was selected to join the Navy ROTC Officer Training program at UW-Madison. During the summers, he completed tours to stops including Tokyo, Shanghai, European capitals, and Cuba. After graduation, Joe was accepted to Navy Flight School in Pensacola, FL. When the Navy changed the tour requirement from 2 to 3.5 years, Joe decided not to opt for the longer commitment, as he had planned to attend law school — but not before flying solo in Navy trainer planes. Other Navy highlights included participation in top-secret above and underwater nuclear testing in the South Pacific. He returned to Madison for law school, and upon graduation, moved to Chicago to work at the Securities and Exchange Commission, investigating securities fraud.
On August 1, 1964, he married Marianne Kenny at St. Catherine of Siena in Oak Park, and soon thereafter welcomed the birth of their daughter, Tiffany. Joe’s next position was in corporate law at Walgreens Chicago headquarters. In 1967, the family moved to Pittsburgh, PA, where he worked for H.K. Porter Corporation. While there, they welcomed their second child, Eric. In 1977, the family moved back to the Midwest, where he accepted a position as General Counsel at Snap-On Tools.
Joe and Marianne shared a love of travel and good food. They frequently traveled as a family to New Orleans, as well as on wonderful trips to Europe and across the United States. Joe returned to Cuba in 2015 with his Cuban daughter-in-law for a family trip, during which he was able to see more than just Guantanamo Bay. Joe loved gin martinis and French food. He had great style — the man could sport a bow tie — and was also well known for his madras pants. Joe had a devilish sense of humor; he was curious about the world and everyone he met.
He is survived by his children, Tiffany (Greg) Nordahl of Elmhurst, IL, and Eric (Yania) Olson of Kenosha, along with his grandchildren, Cooper and Annabel Nordahl, and Zania and Clark Olson; his sister, Jane (Norman) Hanson; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Joseph was preceded in death by his wife, Marianne Olson, and his beloved brother, Phil.
Gathering
DATE: March 28, 2026, at 10:30 am, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 7400 39th Avenue, Kenosha, Wisconsin 53143
Funeral Service
DATE: March 28, 2026, at 11:30 am, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 7400 39th Avenue, Kenosha, Wisconsin 53143
Military Honors
DATE: March 28, 2026, at 12:15 pm, St. Mary Catholic Church, 7400 39th Avenue, Kenosha, Wisconsin 53143
