Morris K. Olson, age 95, died peacefully at Gundersen Hospital on Nov. 21, 2013. He was born to Henry and Minnie (Jothen) Olson April 7, 1918 on a country farm near Disco, Wis. In 1919 the family purchased a farm on Hwy 33 west of Cashton, which remained in the family for 60 years.

Morris graduated from Cashton High School in 1937. In addition to farm work, Morris ran a small gas station in 1938-39. He also worked as a machinist for Trane Co. In 1942, Morris was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served as a medical assistant and company clerk. In August 1942 he and J. Carrol Johnson of La Crosse married at Ft. Ord, California, where he was stationed. Their son, Leslie, was born in La Crosse in 1944.

In 1944, his company was shipped to England prior to the D-Day invasion. Morris went across the English Channel in an open LST landing craft and went ashore at Omaha Beach as part of the later waves of invasion, without a gun. He carefully carried an Underwood typewriter as company clerk, a position he was given as one of the only men who had learned to type in school. Morris and his son Les were able to make a Freedom Flight to the WW II memorial in Wash. D.C. in 2009.

After the WW II, Morris and Carrol settled in La Crosse, where Jenelle was born in 1948, and Leanna in 1952. Morris worked as a machinist for Trane Co, then a Contractor from 1950-59, building 57 houses in nine years in La Crosse and elsewhere. He became a real estate fee appraiser and worked for banks, federal and state governments, appraising in a 3 state area. In 1960 he purchased a small motel called the Bluff View Motel and with family help built it up to a first class motel with swimming pool and breakfast restaurant. Carrol worked the front desk, Les helped build the new structures and Leanna and Jenelle worked in the motel. Morris sold the motel in January, 1971. He continued work as an appraiser until about 1979 when he retired.

Morris had an active mind all his life. He was president of the South Side Businessmen’s Assn. and received many awards for his local service to the city. He was a rock collector and went west for many treasures. He and Carrol traveled many places in retirement, including a trip to China and a tour around the world. Morris collected antiques and tools and was a familiar face to auctioneers in a 3 state area. He was an active member of the Mid-West Tool Collectors Assn., an officer, and frequent award winner for his tool displays. He attended his last MWTCA tool show in Louisville, Kentucky with his son in September, 2013. He purchased the first computer in the family – a Commodore 64 and built up from there, networking several computers, printers, VCRs and TV’s to produce tool collector videos and other computer works.

Until his final illness he was an active reader, kept up with world news and events, as well as local history, and continued to collect tools and build projects in his workshop. Morris was friendly and congenial all his life and rarely spoke a cross word to anyone. He lived in his home of 43 years until recently. He is survived by his wife, Carrol; children Les Olson (Nancy Alderson), Jenelle (Charles) Lowry, and Leanna (Robert) Olson-Taunt; grandchildren Heidi (Rick) Olson-Streed, Nisse, Kelsey, Ryan Taunt, and Matthew Lowry. He was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Minnie (Jothen) Olson, a brother Herman Olson, and a sister Elaine (Olson) Kirking, and an infant daughter, Janine. We will always remember ‘Grampa.’

A private family service is planned. Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting the family. Memorials may be directed to local charities of your choice.