Everett E. Olsen
Everett Earl Olsen died January 17, 2013 at his home in Mt. Horeb surrounded by his loving family. He was born on May 15, 1923 to Elmer and Agnes Olsen of Marshfield, WI, where he was raised on the family farm in Wood County. As a sophomore at Marshfield High School, Everett and his teammate won the National 4-H Meat Judging and Identification contest in Chicago. In 1941 he was the recipient of the FFA State Farmer Degree. After high school he attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho, served in the US Navy during WWII, then returned to the UW and graduated with a degree in agriculture. In 1950 he married his college sweetheart, Zella Mae Goodell, and in 1952 they settled in Dodgeville where he worked for the UW Extension as a Resource/County Agent for over 30 years. He returned to the UW from 1965 to 1968 to complete his Master’s degree in Extension Education. One of his accomplishments as a County Resource Agent, was assisting SCS and DNR with three multi-purpose flood control/recreation areas in Iowa county including; Birch Lake near Barneveld, Blackhawk Lake near Highland, and Twin Valley Lake (Governor Dodge) near Dodgeville. As a county agent he was recognized in 1968 at State and National levels for his distinguished service. Although his title was UW Associate Professor, he was known to many in Iowa county as, “Mr. Agriculture”. Everett was a member of the Dodgeville Plymouth Congregational Church-UCC where he was a trustee and chairman of the building committee. He was also a member of the Kiwanis Club of Dodgeville for 55 years and was responsible for starting the Kiwanis Chicken BBQ.
He was an environmentalist and community activist who was involved in the formation of the Uplands Group to promote tourism and the economy in Iowa County. He was also a founding member of the Iowa County Historical Society. Always a farmer at heart, Everett owned, planted and managed a tree farm in Avoca since 1959 and loved to garden. He always had large productive gardens in Dodgeville, Avoca, and at the Homestead in Mt. Horeb, where they have lived since 2007. He also enjoyed bowling and card playing, but his greatest rewards were the love and respect he got from his children and grandchildren.
Everett is survived by Zella, his loving wife of 62 years, two sisters; Dee Jaeckel, New Berlin and Ruth (James) Werntz, Redmond, WA; five children; Den (Maggie) Olsen, Roselle, IL; Jan Olsen, Kellogg, ID; Karen (Tom) Ernst, Ontario; Sue Lueschow, Blue Mounds and Vicki (Gene) Spellman, Mt. Horeb; 12 grandchildren; Jake and Dane Olsen; Kelly and Becky Hogan; Nathan, Angeline, and Alissa Ernst; Shane and Kristi Lueschow and Cordell, Garrett, and Liza Spellman, and 5 great-grandchildren; Theodore and Heidi Ernst; Everett Hogan and Benjamin and Alexandra Olsen.
The family would like to thank the staff of Agrace Hospice along with his home health aides for their loving care.
Everett will long be remembered for his quick wit, infectious humor, abundant energy, strong moral character, and willingness to help and teach others. He will be greatly missed.
Memorial Services will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, February 9, 2013 at Plymouth Congregational Church in Dodgeville with Pastor Dan Yeazel officiating. Friends may call at the church after10:00 A.M.
