David Paul Olson, Sr.

David Paul Olson, Sr., age 84, of Berlin, passed away peacefully on May 24, 2024, at home surrounded by loved ones.
He was born on the farm in Little Black, WI, on March 12, 1940, the son of Salmer and Angeline Scholz Olson. He was the sixth member of eight children. He married Diane S. Orlikowski at St. Rita Catholic Church in West Allis, WI, on October 15, 1966.
He graduated from Stetsonville Grade School in 1954, attended St. Joseph’s Seminary, Peterborough, N.H. for two years and Wells Senior High in Chicago, IL where he graduated in 1958. He attended the University of IL, Navy Pier for two years. He served in the US. Army from 1963-1969, two years active and 4 years in the Reserve.  When coming home from the Army, he took flying lessons and purchased his own airplane with a friend and enjoyed many hours of flying.  He flew Diane up to Medford, WI, to meet his Grandma Olson. He was very active in community affairs serving as a member of the Bark Lake Fire Department as a fireman, rescue squad, EMT, and Certified Rescue Diver. He was president of the Bark Lake Association and a Town of Richfield Supervisor. He was also a fireman for the Town of Richfield. He coached the Hubertus, WI little league team for many years and was a Boy Scout leader in Hubertus and Berlin. He became a Lieutenant for the Berlin Fire Department when he moved his family to Berlin in 1979 after being transferred from Milwaukee Perfex Corp. to install the computer system in the Berlin Foundry which was owned by Perfex. He wrote software for computers in seven languages for 28 yrs. In 1989, he bought Hoffman Brothers Mfg., makers of custom cabinetry, retiring in 2010. Our son, David, Jr. gave up his kidney for him in 2014 and Dave gave him the Olson Woodworking Shop as a thank you. Dave and Diane became involved with St. Vincent de Paul Society while living in Fond du Lac. When moving back to Berlin, they started a SVdP Conference in Ripon. It is a great feeling helping others. Dave and Diane are also members of the Berlin Historical Society since 1990. These two organizations have kept them busy.
He is survived by his wife, Diane, of 57 years; sons David, Jr. and Krista; grandchildren, Marissa, of Sheboygan, Ben, (fiancé Payton Drager) and Noah, both of Ripon, and James and Clint Andersen-Olson of Sheboygan. He is further survived by his “adopted son” Derek and Megan Reser; grandchildren, Bryce, Dax, Easton, Lily, and Isabelle; sisters, Gretchen (Clete) Hansen, Mary Ann (Tony) Wittkowske; sister-in-law, Sheri Olson; many, many wonderful nieces, nephews and many friends. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Eliana Grace Olson; his parents, Salmer and Angeline; brothers, Richard and Salmer; sisters, Patricia and Lois; and infant baby brother, Peter.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 31, 2024, at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 228 E. Blossom Street, Ripon, WI. Family and friends are welcome at the Wiecki-Skipchak Funeral Home, 116 S. Adams Ave, Berlin, WI, on Thursday, May 30, 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. with the Rosary starting at 6:45 p.m. and again at St. Catherine of Siena on Friday, May 31, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. Interment will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Friday in Oakwood Cemetery in Berlin with full Military Honors.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Dave’s name to St. Vincent de Paul, Ripon Conference, or The Berlin Area Historical Society.
The Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Sheboygan has been entrusted with Pa’s arrangements.