Shirley Ann Olson (Fisher) passed away on Friday afternoon, July 1, in her home surrounded by her loving family.
Her life began on Oct. 24, 1926, in rural Bagley, Wisconsin to Clyde and Leona Fisher. At the age of 8, the Fisher family moved to Ellensburg, Washington, where she grew up riding horses exploring the countryside. Shirley had a lifelong fascination with horses and was a skilled rider. In Washington she joined the Princess Patrol and could be seen riding her horse Whiz Bang in the annual rodeo parades and shows.
In 1944 Shirley graduated from Ellensburg High School. The following school year she enrolled in the local college and worked as a bookkeeper for the local creamery.
Shirley met her future husband Emil Olson in high school and they were married in 1945 while he was serving in the Air Corps. Following his discharge, both attended Oregon State College in Corvallis, Oregon.
It wasn’t long before Shirley decided to put her college education on hold, as the couple decided to begin farming. When visiting her family, who had moved back to Wisconsin, she and Emil decided to move to Wisconsin so she could be near her family and old family friends. This move brought them to Grant County.
Ultimately they had three children. Sandra (born in Washington), Steven, and Sherri. Aside from a busy life raising a family and operating a farm, Shirley and her husband organized the Couples’ Club, which is still active. She was a member of the local Homemakers and served as an officer of the County Homemakers for six years. During that time, she helped organize bake-offs and participated in the county fashion shows and the state fashion show held in Madison. Shirley became active in the Stitzer Methodist Church serving on committees and two years of the ladies’ group. She also taught Bible Summer School for several years.
After their children had grown, Shirley returned to college to complete her education, which was a lifelong dream. She graduated from UW-Platteville in 1981 summa cum laude. She was a member of the Honorary Society - Kappa Delta Pi with a major in Education.
Shirley enjoyed assisting with 4-H work and did considerable substitute teaching. She was also a member of the Ruth Circle at the Fennimore Methodist Church.
Never a dull moment for Shirley. Her days were filled with her lengthy walks, and hobbies such as art, making quilts, baking, decorating, and gardening. She took several years of ceramics classes which resulted with numerous gifts she made for family members and close friends, She volunteered for Social Services and visited residents in the various nursing homes. She was a member of Mothers’ Club for many hears and also active in community and church affairs. Her greatest love was visiting her children in Wisconsin and California. Travels also included trips to Europe, Hawaii, Canada, Caribbean, and California.
Holidays and her children’s birthdays were very special to Shirley and she loved to do whatever she could to make them exceptional for her family by preparing special dinners.
The highlights of Shirley’s life, when asked, were her marriage, her children, and her graduation from college.
Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, sister Virginia, brother Jack, and a grandson Eathan Guler. She is survived by her sisters Gloria Wesolowski of Madison and Mary Sams of Ravenna, Texas, as well as her children Sandra Olson of Clovis, New Mexico, Steven Olson (m. Reuben Welch) of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Sherri Wolff (m. Paul Wolff) of Sherwood, Wisconsin, her grandchildren Bryan Wolff, Brad Wolff (m. Kelly Reitmeyer) and Kristin Magnuson (m. Richard Burniston) of Hove, England, and great-granddaughter Ingrid Magnuson Burniston. Her nephews and nieces also reigned supreme in her life as much as her children.
Shirley was a remarkable and loving person. She will be dearly missed by her family and the friends she’s made throughout her life and across the country.
There will be no formal memorial service and a private family burial will take place in the Borah Cemetery in Mt. Hope Township Grant County, WI. A “Celebration of Life” in loving memory of Shirley will be held from 11:00-3:00 P.M. on Sunday afternoon July 10, 2022, at her residence located at 1775 Foxmoor Drive in Fennimore with food and fellowship. Everyone is welcome. The Larson Family Funeral Home in Fennimore is assisting the family and online condolences may be made at www.larsonfuneralhomes.com