James Edward OIson, age 80, died Friday, July 27, 2001, at Schmitt Woodland Hills. He was born Aug. 10, 1920, in Gary, Ind., the son of Otto J. and Margaret (Parfrey) Olson. He and Madeline (Frye) Miller were married Aug. 3, 1966.
He was a member of the Richland Center High School class of 1938 and later graduated from the University of Wisconsin. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 until 1946.
After teaching at Boston University, he returned to Richland Center to work at The Richland Democrat, which was merged with the Republican Observer in 1962 to become The Richland Observer. He served as editor and publisher until 1986. He was named publisher of the year by the Wisconsin Newspaper Association in 1976. He was elected WNA president the following year.
Olson was involved in activities benefiting young people and the community. He was a supporter of the 4-H program. He was named Kiwanis Man of the Year in 1974. He also was recognized for his support of the Richland County Beef Producers and the Holstein Association. Olson was involved in getting the Wisconsin High School Rodeo to come to Richland Center and was honored by that association in 1991. He was also honored by the Four Lakes Council of the Boy Scouts of America with the Silver Beaver Award.
Olson loved to write editorials, especially those in support of the Richland Campus, industrial development and neighborhood housing. He was a former member of the Richland School District Board of Education and also served on the Richland Center Electric commission, including a stint as president. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church and was a former choir member and Sunday school teacher. Olson also served as a member of the United Givers Board of Directors, the Richland County Economic Development Board, the Neighborhood Housing Services Board and the Board of Visitors for the University of Wisconsin representing UW-Richland.
