Gary Olson

Gary Allen Olson, age 73, of Hinckley, formerly of Kaneville, IL and Soldiers Grove, WI, passed away at home in the love and care of his family, Thursday, February 15, 2018, following a three year battle with cancer. He was born at home on February 2, 1945 in Soldiers Grove, WI, to proud parents, Gordon A. and Maxine F. (Phillips) Olson. Gary grew up in Soldiers Grove and attended local schools, including a one room school house in Yankee Town. He graduated from Soldiers Grove High School with the class of 1963. Gary worked nights at Caterpillar Tractor starting in 1963, while taking classes at Aurora Barber School. Gary actually met his future wife in the home he used to live in, when Sue Werthwein and her family moved in. Gary just had to take look and that was all it took. Sue stole his heart at first glance and they never looked back. A ring soon followed and Gary and Sue were united in marriage on August 7, 1965 at the United Methodist Church of Soldiers Grove. They began their new life together in Aurora where they welcomed a daughter Kimberly. The family moved back to Wisconsin for a time where Gary used his experience as a licensed Barber but returned Caterpillar a year later where he continued to work as an engineer. They eventually moved to a farmhouse in Sugar Grove where they were blessed with Kristy and Kevin. Later they built a home in Kaneville. In 1995, Gary and Sue made the jump to China where Gary was involved in building a Caterpillar plant in Xuzhou. While there, Gary and Sue “adopted” a daughter, Jei-ling “Jenny” Lei who helped them translate and navigate the wonders of China. Four years later they returned home and settled in Wisconsin, building a home on Sue’s family farm. Gary retired from Caterpillar after 36 years but never stopped working. He spent seven years at S & S Cycle, who manufactured performance motorcycle engines. During this time, Gary and Sue hosted an exchange student from Hong Kong, Daria Cheng, for a year. When Gary set down his tools for the last time, he returned to his love of farming. Gary worked on the family farm as well as other rented land, but the sun set on his farming days when Gary’s health began to decline. Gary and Sue then moved back to Illinois after 17 years in Soldiers Grove and bought a home in Hinckley. Gary was a Lieutenant in the Kaneville Fire Department and served on the Kaneville United Methodist Church, also in Kaneville. Gary was also a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose in St. Charles, IL. Gary had a passion for tractors, plows and wagons and any other farm equipment that caught his eye. International red was his favorite color and his collection boasted of dozens. A few others found their way in, but his passion filled acres and acres of land on his farm. Gary and Sue loved to travel all over the world and wintered in South Padre Island. They also took trips to Australia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Austria, Hawaii, Bali, Japan and more. Dancing to the hottest polka was second only to finding a deal at an untold number of auctions. His discerning eye could always find a “diamond” in the rough, even if he had to buy a trailer full of stuff for just one box. This was always followed with the promise to sell the rest, the fulfillment of which was dubious at best. He is survived by his loving wife Sue; three children: Kimberly (Gary) Voss, Kristy (fiancé David Hauser) Wymore and Kevin (Carrie) Olson; nine grandchildren: Shelby, Emily and Wyatt Voss, William (Stephanie) Wymore, Justin and Betse Hauser, and Bryce, Graham and Brennan Olson; one great grandchild on the way; four brothers: Kenneth (Gloria) Olson, Arden (Janet) Olson, William (Rita) Olson and Jeff (Pam) Olson; one sister, Marsha Stritesky; many nieces, nephews, cousins, a countryside of friends and his “adopted” daughter from China, Jei-ling “Jenny” Lei, her husband, Johnson, and their daughter Suzie. He is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents: Glen and Nellie Phillips; paternal grandparents, Oscar and Anna Olson; his parents, Gordon and Maxine; two twin brothers in infancy and one grandson Jason Hauser in infancy. Visitation will be from 10:30-12:30 with a memorial service to follow at 12:30 p.m., at Hinckley United Methodist Church, 801 N. Sycamore St., Hinckley, IL. Rev. Sejoon Jang, pastor of the church will officiate with private family burial at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Gary’s name. Checks may be made to the “Gary Olson Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com where you can find Gary’s full life story.

Services will be February 24, 2018 at 12:30, at Hinckley United Methodist Church , 801 N. Sycamore Street, Hinckley, IL, with Rev. Sejoon Jang.

Visitation will be February 24, 2018 from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm at Hinckley United Methodist Church , 801 N. Sycamore Street, Hinckley, IL

Private family burial at a later date.