Monday, October 12, 2009

Gilbert J. Olle

Gilbert J. Olle, 83, passed away on Columbus Day, October 12, 2009, with his family at his home. He was born on June 8, 1926, to Florence (nee. Chadek) and John T. Olle, on the family farm. From 1947 to 1988 he worked at the American Motors Corporation and took a life-long interest in the American automobile industry. In addition to working in Kenosha, Gil operated the 50-acre farm near Franksville that has been in the Olle family for four generations.

Gil loved his family and friends unconditionally and had a gentle sense of humor. He enjoyed his weekly breakfast group with neighbors and monthly Italian restaurant night with co-workers from Kenosha. Gil loved nature and could identify every bird and tree. As late as this summer he planted and harvested his garden: onions, peppers, tomatoes, squash, pumpkins and sweet corn. Gil developed an interest in cooking and always liked to grill outdoors. He subscribed to both the Racine and Milwaukee newspapers.

His son, John, and his daughter-in-law, Kathy (nee. Moran) built a house next door and Gil took joy in his granddaughters, Kristin and Jenny Lauren. Gil regularly visited his daughters Pat and Linda, and son-in-law Hal Kennedy, in New York City. He took a cross-country trip with Linda to Yellowstone Park in 1990 and with Pat he traveled to France and Spain, Kenya and Tanzania, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Mexico and other countries. Gil took many hunting and canoeing trips with John.

Along with his son, John Olle, daughters Linda Olle and Pat Olle, granddaughters Kristin and Jenny Lauren, he is survived by his beloved sister LaVerne Leonard and brother-in-law, Earl, and nieces Mary Leonard and Joan Leonard and family. And by his close companion, Myrlene Fox and former wife, Rita Olle (nee. Meyer).

Services for Gil will be held at Sturino Funeral Home on Friday October 16, 2009, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Ronald Crewe officiating. There will be a visitation at the funeral home on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until service time. Burial will be held at West Lawn Memorial Park.

The family thanks Mary Dolensek and Hospice Alliance for the compassionate care shown to Gil.

Sturino Funeral Home
3014 Northwestern Ave., Racine

1 comment:

Unknown said...

dear john and pat, i am so sorry about the death of your father. i have talked to linda. the obit, captures gil so well and i know you must have been proud of him as he was of you. my thoughts are with you. as always, roz