Gregory R. Olson 

contributor: 

Oconto County Times-Herald 
Nov. 17, 1999  

 
 

SURING - Gregory R. Olson, 47, died unexpectedly Thursday evening, November 11, 1999 at Community Memorial Hospital of an apparent heart attack. He was born December 20, 1951 in Wausau to Robert and Bette (Dieck) Olson. As a young boy, he moved with his family to the Hickory area and attended Frostville Elementary School. He later attended Suring public schools, graduating from Suring High School with the class of 1970. Greg went on to attend UW-River Falls where he played college football. He then, attended NWTC and graduated with is degree in police science and criminal justice.

On May 1, 1973 he began working for the Oconto County Sheriff's Department as a Deputy. During his professional career, he has held the positions of Sgt., Lt. and since 1995, Chief Deputy in the department and was a mentor to many people. On December 4, 1976 he married Susan Ellner at Grace Lutheran Church in Oconto Falls. The couple has lived most of their married life in the Town of Maple Valley where Greg was currently Supervisor of the Town Board. He also served the town as Fire Warden, the representative for the Suring Fire Department for many years and it one time was a 4-H member. Greg was a member and the current President of the 3-B Gun Club in Breed, held membership in the Suring FFA Alumni, Wisconsin Professional Police association, Wisconsin Sheriff's and Deputy Sheriff's Assoc., Wisconsin Assoc. of Homicide Investigators (WAHI), National Assoc. of Search and Rescue, and the Republican Party. He served on the County Government Emergency Task Force and took a leading role in the development of Oconto County's K-9 Unit, Trail Patrol for Snowmobile & ATV, and Search & Rescue Unit. He was also currently attending Executive Management classes it Fox Valley Technical institute and had planned to run for Sheriff in Oconto County next year. He had a passion for trap shooting, duck hunting, camping with his family, caring for his hunting dogs and feeding the birds. He enjoyed attending Packer games with is family and friends. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Oconto Falls.

He is survived by his Friend and Soulmate, Susan; his parents who he cared for and contacted daily, Bob and Bette Olson, Maple Valley; he was the loving and inspirational father of Erika Olson at home and fiance, Dale Schindel Gillett; Maranda and Drew Olson both at home, two brothers and sisters-in-law, Jack and Judy, Suring; Jim and Marion, Green Bay; one sister and brother-in-law, Diane and Bill Tisch, Lena; his in-laws, Bob and Dorothy Eliner, Oconto Falls; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Patti Ellner-Hagans, Minnesota; Quinn and Lisa Ellner, China; Randy and Sharon Ellner, Kim and Mike Johnson all of Pulaski, Susan's grandmothers, Helen Marks and Helen Eliner both of Oconto Falls; many nieces and nephews whom he dearly loved.

He was preceded in death by his godparents, Janet Hoitger and Frank Pappenfus and grandparents. One of Greg's daily routines he dearly loved was to watch the sunrise and sunset from his kitchen window. We thank God for the gift of Greg. The funeral was held Tuesday, November 16 at his church the Rev. Bill Sutlief officiating. Burial in the Hickory Cemetery, Maple Valley. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a memorial fund will be established. The gift of sight was made available to someone else through the donation of Greg's corneas. Jones Funeral Service, Oconto Falls, served the family.


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