Magdalen “Maggie” H. Olson

Magdalen “Maggie” H. Olson, 99, passed away at Dove Healthcare in Bloomer, October 31, 2022.

Maggie was born March 31, 1923, in Fountain City, to Leonard and Ida (Ziegeweid) Frie. She graduated from Arcadia High School and St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Milwaukee. Magdalen married Herman Olson, May 18, 1946, in Chicago, IL. They lived in Rhinelander before moving to Schofield where Maggie was a Nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital and later for the Marathon County Health Department. Maggie was instrumental in the development of the Self-Care Unit, The Hospice Program, The North Central Health Protection Plan (HMO), Neurodevelopmental Clinics and the first Professional Standards Review Organization (PSRO) system for Wausau Hospitals, an industry standard still used today. Due to her declining eyesight Maggie decided to retire in 1979.

Maggie and Herman moved to Bloomer in 1984, where Maggie’s mantra of “You haven’t paid your dues until you are pushing up daisies,” was in full force. She did not let her visual impairment slow her down and was elected to the Bloomer School Board and advocated for the construction of a new middle school and the Butterfly Garden walking path. She never complained about her disability. In fact, her school board campaign slogan was “I may be blind, but I have vision.” She golfed into her 90s and listened to countless hours of books on tape and public radio, always keeping her mind sharp and encouraging her family to do the same. She was a member of St. John’s WELCA, Bloomer Women’s Club, American and Wisconsin Nurses Assoc., and Wisconsin Council of the Blind. Maggie loved her family very much and will always be remembered for her quick wit and “Fake it till you make it,” attitude.

Maggie is survived by her children: Kristin Olson of Colorado Springs, Karin (David) Olson of Bloomer, Eric (Kristen) Olson of Austin, MN; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and numerous, nieces, nephew, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Herman in 1989; siblings: Warren Frie and Janice Galuska.

A funeral service was held Thursday, November 3, 2022, at 1:00 p.m., at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bloomer, with a visitation from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the church. Interment was in Bloomer Cemetery. Olson Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at olsonfuneralhomebloomer.com.