Betty Ethel (Dicks) Olson, 97, died Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgepath Assisted Living in Sparta, Wis., following a short illness. Per Betty’s wishes, there will be no funeral service.
Betty was born on April 13, 1928, in Cherokee County to Ernest and Harriet (Cougill) Dicks. She was married to William (Bill) Olson on Oct. 14, 1946, in Cherokee and they had two boys, Michael and Steven. They had owned and operated Bill’s DX Station for seven years and then Bill’s Skelly Station for six years.
Betty loved to bake and often won awards at the Cherokee County Fair. She lived in San Antonio, Texas, for 11 years and after retiring she and Bill picked up a hobby of flipping houses in Missouri and Iowa. She had been a resident in Sparta for only a few months and prior to that she lived in West Salem, Wis., for nine years where she enjoyed spending time with her grandkids and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her daughter-in-law Mary Olson of McAllen, Texas; four grandchildren: Amanda and Ruben Rojas of McAllen, Texas; Chris and Haley Olson of Willis, Texas; Justin and Heather Olson of Coon Valley, Wis.; and Alison and Peter Ludt of Black Earth, Wis.; 14 great-grandchildren; and sister, Dorothy Koeppen of Minneapolis, Minn.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers; three sisters; husband; sons Michael Olson of McAllen, Texas; and Steven Olson of Mesa, Ariz.; daughter-in-law Kathy (Pigott) Olson; and grandchild Michael R. Olson, Jr.
Betty’s family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at Morrow Home Community and Tomah Health Hospice for their kindness and support in her final months and days.
Condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.CouleeCremation.com.
