Frederick “Fred” M. Olsen Jr.

Frederick “Fred” M. Olsen Jr. of Port Washington, Wis., passed away peacefully Wednesday evening, Jan. 3, 2024, while surrounded by his loving family.  He was 93 years old.

Fred was born in Minneapolis, Minn., on Nov. 25, 1930, the son of Frederick M. Sr. and Esther Wick Olsen.

He attended local schools before continuing on to earn his degree in journalism at the University of Minnesota.

On July 11, 1953, Frederick was united in marriage with Virginia “Ginny” Ellen Meyers in Schenectady, N.Y. Their union was blessed with eight children, 22 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

Fred was an advertising executive with General Electric in Schenectady, N.Y., San Jose, Calif., and La Grange, Ill.; Trane Co. in La Crosse, Wis.; Allen Bradley in Milwaukee, Wis.; and as a partner in Thompson, Gardner, Olsen in Mequon, Wis.

He also served in the Navy during the Korean War on the USS Epperson (DDE 719) out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He participated in the H-bomb tests at Bikini and Eniwetok, then patrolled off Korea when the armistice was signed ending hostilities.  Fred served in the Navy Reserve until retiring as a commander in 1977.

In 2005, Fred and Ginny moved to Elcho, Wis., to enjoy life on the lake up north. They returned to the area in 2019.

Fred loved working in the garden, reading, driving the pontoon boat and working around the house.

He was very involved in the Sons of Norway, Military Officer Association, American Legion and Knights of Columbus.  He also belonged to the Tin Can Sailors and loved to go to the USS Epperson reunions to see old shipmates.

Fred was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Virginia Ellen Meyers.

Left behind to honor his memory are their children Frederick Olsen III of La Crosse, Kimberly (the late John) Olsen-Wais of Cedarburg, Kristen (Drew) Palumbo of Palatine, Ill., Nels (Elisabeth) Olsen, also of Cedarburg, Erik (Camille) Olsen of Beavercreek, Ohio, and Kaare Olsen (Rick Mandel) of Whitefish Bay.

He was preceded in death by daughters Marylani Olsen and Cynthia (the late Tom) Schell and grandchild Erin Bushek.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at noon Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, at St. Joseph’s Parish, 1619 Washington St., Grafton, WI 53024. The family will receive visitors at the church from 11 a.m. until the service.

Fred will be laid to rest at Southeastern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Tin Can Sailors, a nonprofit organization that supports the legacy of the U.S. destroyer fleet by educating, preserving and honoring its history (www.destroyers.org).

The family wishes to thank the staff at Harbor Campus in Port Washington for their loving care and support over the last two years.

Eernisse Funeral Home in Port Washington is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.