Marion R. Olson

December 4, 1925 - October 23, 2021

Marion R. Olson (nee Tigges), age 95, passed away October 23, 2021, at Ascension All Saints Hospital singing hymns of praise to her Lord and Savior. Born December 4, 1925, to William August Carl and Albertine (Noefke) Tigges in Racine, WI. Marion was a lifelong member at Racine’s First Evangelical Lutheran Church – the oldest member at the time of her death. She was a longtime member of the Senior Choir and was the founder of the Cherub Choir (ages 3-12), which she directed for 25 years. She also established the First Vacation Bible School at First Evangelical. Marion was a member of the Esther Mary Mission Circle and the musical director and teacher at Sunday school, directing the Christmas Eve service for many years. Marion was a member of the Ladies’ Aide Society, serving as president multiple times. Marion and her husband Bennett, along with her son Martin, were proprietors of Nelson Welding Supply Company, while she also served as a bookkeeper for several local firms. She was a needlework enthusiast, making many treasured counted cross stitch and knitted heirlooms. She was a true Milwaukee baseball fan, rarely missing a game. Marion was a loving mother, involved grandmother, and a caring great-grandmother and great-great grandmother. Marion is survived by her children Kathleen and Jerry Schultz of Racine, John and Judy Olson of Sturtevant, and Ruth and Ray Schwingle of Mount Pleasant, as well as her daughters in-law Christine Olson of River Falls and Cindy Olson of Mount Pleasant. She is further survived by her pride and joy, her 18 grandchildren: David and Kristina Olson, Jason and Melissa Olson, Jenny and Bryan Kemp, Casey Olson, Jessica Olson and A.J. Witgen, Martin and Jackie Schultz, Nathan and Cass Schultz, Christian and Melissa Olson, Ben and Melissa Olson, Tim and Melissa Olson, Heather and Michael Schapals, Matthew and Ashley Olson, Nola and Eric Armbrust, Mary Verheyen and Hass Jassim, Melissa Schwingle and Ryan Kerner, Maggie and Adam Pomerening, Katy and Cory Kratz, Jon Schwingle and Amy Luebke, and Jim and Rebecca Hornes, along with her 38 great- grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Marion is preceded in death by her husband, Bennett Olson (January 1, 2012), her eldest son, David B. Olson (May 5, 1993), her youngest son, Martin C. Olson (January 19, 2019), her grandson, John R. Olson, Jr., sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Fredrick Johnson, brothers and sisters-in-law, William and Helen Tigges, George and Joyce and Katherine Tigges, and Robert and Dawn Tigges, brothers-in-law Robert Olson and Roland Olson, adopted daughter, Marie Hornes, and other extended family. Funeral services will be held at First Evangelical Lutheran Church (728 Villa St) on Thursday, October 28, 2021, at 11:30 am. Visitation will be held from 10:00 until the time of service, with Pastors Drew Day and Nathan Pope officiating. The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to her granddaughter Melissa Schwingle for her compassionate care and loving gift of companionship. And further thanks to Nurse Melissa of 4c at Ascension for her empathetic care until the end. The family asks in lieu of flowers, to please send memorials to First Evangelical Lutheran Church or Shoreland Lutheran High School in Somers, WI. After the service, please meet at West Lawn Memorial Park (90th Street entrance) at 2:15 p.m.