Brian Gerard Olson (Oly), 57 of Stockbridge, left his earthly body on Friday, September 2nd, and is now at peace in the loving arms of our Lord. He was born September 20th, 1958 to Neale and MaryAnn (Halbach) Olson. As a child he, along with his older brother Kevin, was raised on the family farm near Stockbridge where the boys brought great joy and laughter and pride to all who knew them.Brian married Brenda L. Beyer on November 6, 1982 in Sherwood, where they lived for two years before building a house on the south side of the family farm. Brian and Brenda turned that house into a true home, raising four beautiful children with love and laughter and absolute pride and passion in all that they did. Many a-night there was scarcely time for supper between the all the baseball, basketball, football and volleyball games; as well as piano and tap lessons, drama plays and band concerts, and all the other adventures the kids took them on. Brian was a family man before all else and his pride in the kids was seen by all who knew him. Brian was a true Wisconsinite. He loved the Packers and the Badgers, and yes even the Brewers (Hey they've had some good years!). He was an absolutely avid Nascar fan - rarely missing a race, no matter what negotiations he had to go through to see them. He looked forward to the fall - time for making homemade cabbage and apple cider, putting up sweet corn, beets and other garden goodies. Fall also brought other favorites - bow hunting and gun hunting, and cutting wood with our boys. Winter brought ice fishing and sturgeon spearing, where there was nothing better than summoning up the "monsters of the deep" with his friends and the family. Spring brought tapping trees with the kids, boiling down sap for the best maple syrup ever (in the Olson household anyway), and the annual hunt for the elusive morel mushrooms. And then there was summer - which always brought more fun: camping, parades, picnics, and interactive 4th of July extravaganzas. Not to mention our annual trips to Shawano Lake where we enjoyed pontoon rides, fishing, casino trips, and the ever-so-popular crack & re-crack, blitzers & punish, in a no schneider sheepshead game. There was always fun and laughter, great food, great friends, and lest we forget the traditional serenades by the campfire. Brian & Brenda together enjoyed traveling with friends and relatives. The trips to Las Vegas and Laughlin, and overnighters to the casinos in the "Northwoods" created memories that still crack us up today. (If you were with us, you're smiling now.) There were also trips to Texas, Punta Cana, and most recently Costa Rica where Brian swore he wasn't going up to that volcano - but he did and he enjoyed! Another true love Brian and Brenda shared was their 5 grandchildren. There were always patty cakes and peek-a-boos and pew-eew's - those are some stinky feet! Brian enjoyed being a grandfather just as much as he enjoyed being a father, and mostly enjoyed babysitting them while moms and dads were at work.Brian was employed by Tecumseh Products for nearly 30 years. After Tecumseh closed their doors, Brian went back to school to become a CNC, after which he worked at Stockbridge Manufacturing for several years.Brian is survived by his wife, Brenda; their four children: Eric (Nikki) Olson and their four children - Owen, Evan, Mahlea, and Eli; Dan Olson, Laura Olson and her daughter Raelynn; and Scott Olson; his mother: MaryAnn Olson; two sisters-in law: Diane (Marvin) Leitner and Debbie Beyer; and a brother-in-law: Bill (Lynn) Beyer. He is further survived by many aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and many friends.He was preceded in death by his father Neale and a brother Kevin; his mother and father-in-law, Bill and Gloria Beyer; his paternal grandparents, Mickey and Lucille Olson; his maternal grandparents, Ray and Mayme Halbach, and multiple aunts and uncles.Funeral service will be at 11:00 am on Wednesday, September 7, 2016 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Stockbridge with the Rev. Michael Betley officiating. Burial will be in the Parish Cemetery.

Appleton Post Crescent Sep 5 2016