Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Wilbur S. Olson, 90, of Wakefield, passed away peacefully on the evening of May 9, 2017, at Gogebic Medical Care Facility where he had resided since 2009.
Wilbur, the youngest of seven children, was born in Bergland to Alfred and Eva (Walker) Olson on Oct. 3, 1926, and graduated with the class of 1944 from Bergland High School.
Uncle Sam called him into service with the U.S. Army directly out of high school, where he served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater in Leyte and Mindanao during World War II. Upon discharge, he returned to Bergland and worked as a logger and at saw mills for much of his life. He later worked at Gogebic Medical Care Facility in maintenance until his retirement in 1988.
On Sept. 7, 1974, he married Dorie Negro Olson in Wakefield, who preceded him in death on Sept. 1, 2016. Upon retirement, he and Dorie enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and enjoyed a trip to Dorie's father's birthplace in Italy. Being a man of the woods, he was an avid trapper and fisherman.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his stepson, James "Eagle" Olson, on Nov. 4, 2014; daughter-in-law, Patricia Tarnaski Olson, in 1986; his sisters and their spouses, Eve and Henry Kyatt, Mildred and William Close, Dorothy and Joseph Goudreau and Willow and Howard Burk; and his brothers, Edward and Sidney Olson.
Survivors include his stepson, Sidney (MaryJane) Olson, San Juan Capistrano, Calif .; daughter-in-law, Phyllis Smith Olson, Wakefield; grandchildren, Kim (Neil) Corcoran, Ironwood, James (Leslie Sampson) Olson, Wakefield, Terry (Robert) Jacobs, Williston, Vt., and Jayson (Christine) Olson, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif .; great-grandchildren, Jimmy and Samantha Olson, Ramsay, and Tyler Jacobs, Williston; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Out of respect for Wilbur's wishes, cremation will take place and there will be no services at this time. Private graveside services and inurnment is yet to be determined.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel, Inc., in Wakefield. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.
