Ruth Olson

Ruth A. Olson, age 95 of Darlington, WI passed away Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at Lafayette Manor in Darlington. She was born October 15, 1922 in Marathon County, WI the daughter of Henry and Marie (Klumb) Zuelke. Ruth graduated from Stratford High School in Stratford, WI and later studied at St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield, WI where she received her RN degree. She worked as a nurse at Madison Methodist Hospital where she met Alden as her patient. She was united in marriage to Alden Olson on September 22, 1951 at Zion Lutheran Church in Stratford. They lived in Seymour Township in Lafayette County, WI where they farmed, and raised their six children. Ruth also worked as an RN at Lafayette Manor in Darlington for thirteen years. Alden and Ruth later retired in 1990 and moved to Lamont where they celebrated forty-eight years of marriage before Alden's passing in 2000.Ruth is survived by her six children: Lorraine (Terry) Johnson of Darlington, Alice Anderton of Mena, AR, Jeanette (Robert) Stephens of Platteville, WI, Neil (Ellen) Olson and Shari (Richard Roelli) Olson both of Darlington, and Keith (Juhee) Olson of Madison, WI; 17 grandchildren: Joel (Sheila) Johnson, Lisa (Troy) Oren, Matt Johnson, Ryan (Molly) Johnson, Diana (Steve) Peterson, Adam (Eunjung) Anderton, Jeremy (Amber) Stephens, Nicole Stephens, Daniel Olson, David (Heather) Olson, Rachel (Ryan) Matteson, Andrew (Ashley) Olson, Eryn (Matt) Roelli, Katey Sawyer, Sarah, Jonathan, and Clara Olson; 27 great-grandchildren; one brother: Larry (Nancy) Zuelke of Menomonee Falls, WI; and two sisters: Lois Zuelke of Stratford and Anne Zuelke of Marshfield, WI; sister-in-law: Kathy Belgea-Zuelke. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Alden; two brothers: Art and Robert Zuelke; and one sister-in-law: Arlene Zuelke-Polege.Ruth was a member of Wardsville Primitive Methodist Church and later First Baptist Church in Darlington. She worked at the Lamont Election polls for over 20 years. Ruth loved to sew, garden, bird watch, and shared her enjoyment for knitting with 4H children. She enjoyed canning food, baking, and was known for her Devils Food cakes. Ruth will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by her family and friends. A funeral service will be held Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. at First Baptist Church (15691 County Rd K, Darlington) with Rev. James W. McMahon officiating. Burial will be in Union Grove Cemetery. A visitation will be held Friday, June 1, 2018 from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. First Baptist Church and on Saturday from 10:00 A.M. until 10:45 A.M. at the church. The Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington is serving the family. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com. In Lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Ruth's name.