Lynda Olson

Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Lynda Rae Olson (Jarvis) of Janesville, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on January 4, 2023, at the age of 79 years.

Memorial service will be 11 am, January 14, 2023, at the Cottage Grove United Church of Christ, 7008 Lamar Avenue S., Cottage Grove with visitation starting at 9 am until the time of service.

LIVESTREAM INFORMATION:  For those who would like to participate in Lynda's service via livestream, you can watch the service on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 11:00 am.  It can be viewed by clicking on the livestream box below.  Please leave a message of support in our Guest Book to let the family know you were able to watch the service.  It will also be available to watch later in the day.

Lynda was born in Ft. Jackson, South Carolina on August 10, 1943, but lived her early years in Fargo, North Dakota.  After graduating from High School in Sioux City, lowa, Lynda earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Yankton College, Yankton, South Dakota.

Lynda was united to the love of her life, Wayne Olson, on June 12, 1965, in Yankton, South Dakota.  She began her career in Oklahoma where she taught elementary school in Tulsa and later moved to Wisconsin where she taught in Madison and finally in Janesville where they made their home for 50 years.

She served as a program director for the YWCA of Janesville as well as the program director for the Epilepsy Foundation of Southern Wisconsin where she concluded her career as the Executive Director of that organization.

Lynda was active in many roles within her church, First Congregational UCC of Janesville and held many offices and positions in the church through the years.  Lynda had a beautiful voice and she loved to sing.  Along with singing in the church chancel choir for forty years and director of the children's choir, she also sang in the Daylillies, an acapella women's chorus.

Lynda was a member of the League of Women Voters and served as a poll worker on election days.

Lynda loved her family dearly.  Among the many things in life that Lynda enjoyed doing, she also looked forward to playing bridge and euchre and was a member of several card groups.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Wayne; children Krystine (Christopher) Blue, Bryan (Emily) Olson; grandson Kenneth and brother Wayne Jarvis.  She is preceded in death by her parents Walter and Nancy Jarvis.

Donations can be made in Lynda’s memory to the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin or the Giving Voice Chorus.

** Alzheimer’s and Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin; 6314 Odana Rd., Suite 4; Madison, WI 53719 (https://www.alzwisc.org/)
** Giving Voice Initiative; 7400 Metro Blvd, Suite 255; Edina, MN 55439 (https://givingvoicechorus.org/donate/)