James “Jim” E. Olsen, 57, of Big Flats, formerly of Whitewater died on Dec. 27, 2014, in Friendship.
He was born on May 20, 1957, in Emmetsburg, Iowa, to Bernellyn “Bernie” and Ramona “Mona” Olsen.
He was a member of First English Lutheran Church for many years while living in Whitewater.
Jim’s passion in life was serving others. He found an outlet for that passion as a funeral director. He received his funeral director’s license in 1985 after working at a funeral home in Milwaukee while attending Madison Area Technical College. He worked at the former Suminski Funeral Home in Crandon for two years until he moved to Whitewater to work with his father at the Olsen Funeral Home.
Jim worked at the Olsen Funeral Home in Whitewater for eight years until he and his brother David purchased the business from their father. Jim and David owned and operated the two Olsen Funeral Homes, one in Whitewater and one in Jefferson, for 18 years.
After the death of his best friend and buddy, Johnathon “J.O.”, Jim left the family business and relocated to Big Flats where he worked at the Roseberry Funeral Home in Friendship.
He had also been employed at the former Schweiger Industries in Jefferson.
He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and traveled the world aboard the USS Enterprise.
Jim’s passion to help others was also shown in his civic activities as he served on the Whitewater Volunteer Fire Department for 20 years and the Whitewater Common Council for a total of 10 years. He was also a member of the Jefferson Volunteer Fire Department while living in Jefferson.
He was a member of the Whitewater Chamber of Commerce, the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce, the National Funeral Directors Association, the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association and Whitetails Unlimited.
He was a long-time foster parent for Walworth County and sponsored more than 100 children over the years. He was honored by the State of Wisconsin as “Foster Parent of the Year.”
Surviving are his daughter, Rebecca (Joe) Melito of Darien; one son, Paul (Heather) Olsen of Janesville; six grandchildren, Jada and Chloe Melito, Taylor and Erin Olsen, and Brielle and Gabbie Johnson; six siblings, Paul (Kellie) of Aurora, Colorado, David (Linda) of Jefferson, Daniel of Madison; Steven of Pinellas Park, Florida, Martha of Madison and Ruth (Marla Adams) of Juneau, Ala.; many nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and great-nephews; the mother of his children, Kim (Mike) Volpato of Delavan; and his stepmother, Kay Altreuter of Fort Atkinson.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Johnathon Olsen.
Funeral services, with Military Honors, will be held at First English Lutheran Church in Whitewater at 2 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 2, with the Rev. John Tabaka officiating.
Burial will take place in Greenwood Cemetery in Jefferson at a later date.
Friends may call the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of services.
The Olsen Funeral Home in Jefferson is assisting the family.
