Jerry Olson

Jerry Olson, age 81, of Cantrall, Illinois, passed away on Monday, September 12, 2022, at his home surrounded by his loved ones and his beloved dog, Gloria.

He was born on April 19, 1941, in Springfield Illinois, the son of Russell and Virginia (Showalter) Olson.

Jerry grew up in Fancy Prairie and graduated from Athens High School in 1959. He married Marlene Markey on September 5 ^th , 1964.

Jerry will be missed terribly by his wife Marlene, two sons; Lance (Amy) Olson and Eric (Jerin) Olson of Cantrall; three daughters; Tricia (Fred) Schlosser, Rachel (Kevin) Jones, and Kristina (Graham) Olson of Springfield; and grandchildren; Jasmin Olson, Sam and Nick Schlosser, Lilly and Emmy Olson and Noah and Mia Jones; and sister; Phyllis (Bob) Hahn of Lincoln. Jerry was joyfully reunited on the other side with his parents, two sons; James Vincent Olson and Bradley Olson, and granddaughter Savannah Olson.

Jerry joined the service in 1963 and served as a combat engineer, a fact that was a great source of pride for him. Jerry was a hard worker. He was a farmer and worked for many years at FS and the Menard County Road Commission, District #2, retiring in 2019. Jerry missed his coworkers after his retirement, often saying that the guys he worked with kept him young.

Jerry was a board member for the Village of Cantrall for 29 years, having lived there all of his adult life. Jerry was a music lover and an Olympic level table tennis player, medaling several times in the Senior Olympics. He loved a good joke and had a laugh that could warm a room.

Jerry was proud of his children and in awe of his grandchildren. He loved to look around the room at a family gathering and offer a toast “to all of you here, just because two people drank wine”.

To know Jerry was to love him and, if he loved you, you were likely on the receiving end of a good ribbing or at the very least, a nickname. He was the dad who gently asked about your life, the grandpa who came to the game, the friend who laughed and hurt with you, and the husband who loved unconditionally.

Jerry could seem like a man of few words but, when he gave you those words, they were always important, poignant, meaningful and often just the right thing to make you feel better.  He leaves everyone he ever met better for knowing him, and he leaves his family with a lifetime of wonderful memories and quotes that will live on for generations.

Jerry showed up for people. It’s what he did. His children often joked that he was a professional pallbearer. If you would like to show up for Jerry, you can do so at a visitation at Mott and Henning Funeral Home on September 29 ^th from 4-7pm.

Cremation rites will be accorded.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Animal Protective League.

Mott & Henning Funeral Home is assisting the family. On-line condolences can be shared at www.mottandhenning.com.