March 23, 1956 – September 11, 2022 Jennifer was the first-born child of Robert Dean and Colleen Marie Olson. Jennifer and her eight brothers and sisters grew up in Cottage Grove, Minnesota. Jennifer attended and graduated from Park High School. Jennifer was President of her Senior Class. Jennifer attended and graduated from the College of St. Benedict in Minnesota. Jennifer received her master’s degree in psychology in 1996 from the Minnesota Institute of Psychology. She moved to the Wausau-area in 1996 and pursued a career in social services. Ultimately, she became the Director of Pastoral Care at the Church of St. Anne. After retiring, she continued her devotion to charitable works and the raising of her beloved grandchildren. Jennifer was preceded in death by her parents (Robert and Colleen) and her brother Dominic. She is survived by her husband, Mark; her four children, their spouses, and their children [Ashley Kareken, Derek and Kathy Skomars (Brandon and Hank), Christopher Skomars (Zaydan), and Karl and Holly Skomars (Eliott, Charlotte, and Ronnie)]; seven brothers and sisters and their spouses Mark Olson (Kris), Sarah McKenzie (Mark), John Olson, Cindy Krenzel (Joel), Melissa Eichers (Joel), Mandy Ewest (Joe) and Tony Olson; and 17 nieces and nephews. A wake will be held for Jennifer on the 20th day of September 2022 from 4-7 p.m. at the John J. Buettgen Funeral Home 948 Grand Avenue, Schofield, Wisconsin 54476. The wake will be followed by a prayer service. The Funeral Mass will be held for Jennifer at the Church of the Resurrection 621 N. 2nd Avenue, Wausau, WI 54403 on the 21st day of September 2022. Visitation at the church will begin at 9:30 a.m. followed by the funeral rite at 10:30 a.m. The Funeral Mass will be followed by a dinner at the Church. Burial rites will take place after the dinner at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery off N. Memorial Drive in Merrill, Wisconsin. In lieu of gifts or flowers, the family requests that donation be made in Jennifer’s memory to one of the following charities that she supported. Wausau Catholic Charities 540 S. 3rd Street Wausau, WI 54401 (715) 849-3311 cclse.org/Wausau/ Rosemary Farm Horse Sanctuary rosemaryfarm.org John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting family at this time. Online condolences may be expressed at HonorOne.com
I watched her walking on a vast, lush, green field on an august morning.
We were both near our high school; Park high school.
Both about to enter our senior year.
We couldn’t be more different.
Jennifer was tall, long and seemed somehow like an important piece of nature; like the cool morning grass around her bare feet as she leisurely walked alone.
She wore cutoffs a white t-shirt. Her legs were long and tan. Long straight brown hair flowed gently behind her.
Jennifer looked too beautiful to girl-watch.
I remember thinking ; I didn’t want to disturb her; she was a work of art in nature.
Ethereal.
“Let her be”, I thought .
And I watched her walk away.
That was a memory I had of Jennifer Olson way back in high school at Park. She had big soulful brown eyes that could warm the sun.
We were never close really… She was too far above me… Too beautiful too smart… And that was OK… Many years later I wrote about Dale on this site… And Jennifer contacted me on Facebook -thanking me… And then she began to read everything I wrote and from there on we became friends… Both sharing and loving dogs and the gift of helping people.
Jennifer Olson has passed and it’s sad and I see her walking on the green field again barefoot…
Robert Zachar
I just put this up on Jennifer‘s memorial
I watched her walking on a vast, lush, green field on an august morning.
We were both near our high school; Park high school.
Both about to enter our senior year.
We couldn’t be more different.
Jennifer was tall, long and seemed somehow like an important piece of nature; like the cool morning grass around her bare feet as she leisurely walked alone.
She wore cutoffs a white t-shirt. Her legs were long and tan. Long straight brown hair flowed gently behind her.
Jennifer looked too beautiful to girl-watch.
I remember thinking ; I didn’t want to disturb her; she was a work of art in nature.
Ethereal.
“Let her be”, I thought .
And I watched her walk away.
That was a memory I had of Jennifer Olson way back in high school at Park. She had big soulful brown eyes that could warm the sun.
We were never close really… She was too far above me… Too beautiful too smart… And that was OK… Many years later I wrote about Dale on this site… And Jennifer contacted me on Facebook -thanking me… And then she began to read everything I wrote and from there on we became friends… Both sharing and loving dogs and the gift of helping people.
Jennifer Olson has passed and it’s sad and I see her walking on the green field again barefoot…
I hope.
Like before.