Peter Warren Olson, our devoted father, loving husband, and respected community member, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 3, 2025, on his 90th birthday. He lived a life that embodied the values of hard work, integrity, and a deep love for family and community.
Our family has always cherished the quote from Henry David Thoreau’s “Walden,” which reads: “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” This quote resonated deeply with Dad, who lived his life with purpose and intentionality, always striving to be the best version of himself.
Peter was born on April 3, 1935, in Middleton, Wisconsin, to Warren and Alice Olson. From a young age, he was drawn to athletics and fishing, which would become lifelong passions. He was a member of the 1948 Middleton Grade School football team, which achieved an impressive 8-0 record and outscored their opponents 215-4. This was just the beginning of a life filled with sports, coaching, and a deep love for the outdoors.
As he grew older, Peter attended Middleton High School, where he lettered in football, baseball, and basketball all four years. He was named All-Conference in football and basketball for three years and led the conference in scoring with 255 points as a star prep player in 1952-53. His basketball career unfortunately came to an end in 1953 when he suffered a broken elbow in a game against Edgerton High School.
Peter’s love for coaching began early, and he went on to teach physical education and driver’s education at Madison Central High School and later at LaFollette High School. He coached varsity baseball for 12 years, was varsity assistant football coach, and was the varsity basketball coach for 30 years. During his tenure as varsity basketball coach, the LaFollette basketball team won four conference championships, 12 regional titles, four sectional titles, and six Holiday Tournament titles.
Peter’s success on the court was matched only by his success in the classroom. He earned a bachelor of science degree in physical education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1957 and later earned a master’s degree in 1960. He taught physical education, biology, and general science at Madison Central High School and was a beloved figure in the community.
But Peter’s impact extended far beyond the classroom and court. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and his family was the center of his universe. He was a constant source of love, support, and encouragement, and his family credits him with instilling in them the values of hard work, integrity, and a deep love for family and community.
Throughout his life, Peter was driven by a passion for fishing. He pursued many species of fish, but muskies were his first love. He was called “The King of Musky Fishing” or simply “The King” by those who knew him, and his trophy muskies are a testament to his prowess. Peter’s love for fishing was not just about the thrill of catching a big fish; it was about the joy of being outdoors, the camaraderie with friends and family, and the sense of accomplishment that came with patience and discipline.
Peter’s legacy extends far beyond his athletic and coaching achievements. He was a man of great wisdom, compassion, and kindness, and his impact on our lives will be felt for generations to come. He taught us to always strive to do everything to the best of our abilities, to never give up, and to always remember that excellence is achieved through daily practice and perseverance.
As we celebrate Peter’s life, we are reminded of the importance of living with purpose, integrity, and a deep love for family and community. We are grateful for the gift of his life, and we will continue to draw inspiration from his example for years to come.
A celebration of life service will be held on May 3 at Gunderson Funeral Home. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m., followed by the service at 3 p.m., and a continued visitation afterwards until 5 p.m. Memorial donations can be made to the UW Carbone Cancer Center and Compassus Hospice.
We would like to extend our gratitude to Careview Rehab and Compassus Hospice for their thoughtful and attentive care of our father. We also want to thank the friends and family who have gathered to celebrate his life and share their memories of him. Your love, support, and condolences mean the world to us during this difficult time.
Peter’s Life in Numbers
- 4 years: Peter lettered in football, baseball, and basketball all four years at Middleton High School.
- 3 years: Peter was named All-Conference in football and basketball for three years.
- 12 years: Peter coached varsity baseball for 12 years at LaFollette High School.
- 30 years: Peter was the varsity basketball coach for 30 years at LaFollette High School.
- 4 conference championships: LaFollette basketball team won four conference championships during Peter’s tenure as coach.
Peter’s Love of Fishing
- Peter’s love for fishing began early, and he spent many hours fishing with his father Warren.
- Peter’s favorite species to fish for was the musky.
- Peter was known as “The King of Musky Fishing” or simply “The King” by those who knew him.
- Peter’s trophy muskies are a testament to his prowess.
- Peter believed that fishing was a skill that provided numerous benefits throughout a person’s lifetime, including relaxation, a supplement to the food supply, and a sense of accomplishment.
Peter’s Legacy
- Peter’s legacy extends far beyond his athletic and coaching achievements.
- Peter was a man of great wisdom, compassion, and kindness.
- Peter taught us to always strive to do everything to the best of our abilities and to never give up.
- Peter believed that excellence is achieved through daily practice and perseverance.
- Peter will be deeply missed, but his impact on our lives will be felt for generations to come.
A Message from Peter
“Togetherness — Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away into the next room. Whatever we were to each other, we still are. Call me by my old familiar name. Speak to me in the same easy way you always have. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it always was. There is absolute unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of your mind because I am out of your sight? I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner. All is well. Nothing is past. Nothing has been lost. One brief moment, and all will be as it was before — only better. Infinitely happier.
