Orvin Lawrence “Orv” Olson, age 88, of Stoughton, passed away on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at Kettle Park Senior Living.

He was born on August 1, 1936, on the family farm, three miles south of Grandview, Wis., the son of Edwin and Mabel (Anderson) Olson. At age 16, Orv graduated valedictorian from Drummond High School in 1953. After high school, he worked several odd jobs and was a member of the Wisconsin Army National Guard. In 1958, he enrolled at UW-River Falls. On March 13, 1960, he was united in marriage to Geraldine Chapin. Just before his senior year, 1961, was to begin, the Guard was activated, the Berlin Crisis, and he was train-bound to Fort Lewis, Washington for the next year. He received his undergraduate from UW-River Falls in 1963 and his master’s degree from UW-Superior in 1974.

Orv taught math at Rice Lake High School from 1963-1993. During his career, he coached basketball, baseball and was the athletic director. In his free time, he enjoyed hunting and fishing with family, woodworking and watching basketball, baseball and football. He was also known around the country for his expertise in collectable firearms, specializing in Winchester, Browning and Colt Sauers.

Orvin is survived by his son, Brad (Susan) Olson; brother, Donald Olson; daughter-in-law, Tonja (Brian) Nelson; grandchildren, Matthew Olson, Paige (Jason) Karnes and Daniel (Kayla) Olson; great-grandchildren, Hudson, Brooks and Savannah Karnes; and a very special brother-in-law, Robert Chapin.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Geraldine; son, Mark Olson; parents, Mabel and Edwin; and sister, Mary Ethel (Sigurd) Swanson.

A casual celebration of life will be held at LEHMAN’S SUPPER CLUB, 2911 S. Main St., Rice Lake, from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Friday, June 20, 2025. Education was very important in Orv’s life.

If you’d like to give a memorial, please make it out to the Education Foundation of Rice Lake, PO Box 575, Rice Lake, WI, 54868. Please write “In memory of Orv Olson” in the memo line.

Last Update: Jun 16, 2025 7:13 am CDT