Norton O. Olsson

• Korean War stationed in Germany
• 1950-1951
• Sergeant
• Specialty:  Radio Repairman/Electronics

Norton was born November 8, 1933 in Chicago, Illinois. His parents were Axel and Mary Olsson, and they moved to Winegar (Presque Isle), Wisconsin in 1945, coming from Oregon. The family was previously in Winchester, Wisconsin in 1942. Axel Olsson (Father) was commissioned by the government to recover hardwood logs from the area lakes (Axel was a commercial hard hat diver) for the war effort. Having completed the logging underwater job, the government sent Axel and family out west to do bottom surveys on the Columbia River. The John O’Day Dam sits now, where he surveyed as one of the sites. Norton was the eldest of the three sons. Holger, and Rodney, the younger brothers. Norton attended and graduated from Winegar Graded School, also Marinesco High School. Norton was an outdoorsman, who was an avid hunter, fisherman, trapper, snow skier, snowshoer and snowmobiler.

Norton was drafted into the Army during the Korean War, and was sent to Germany for his overseas duty. He served in Company B 237TH Engineer Battalion (C). He was trained in the USAEUR Signal School, major course field radio repairman, and completed leadership training. Norton received the National Defense Service Medal Army of Occupation (Germany), Good Conduct Medal, and the Marksmanship badge for rifle, and pistol.
Norton was a hard hat diver before going into the service, but after he got out of the Army was hired by the Sperry Rand Corporation in England, and was working as an electronics technician.

Norton came back home, and helped build and start Olsson’s Restaurant and Bar in 1958, along with his parents and Holger.

Norton then went to Milwaukee, and worked in the construction field as a pile driver. He then moved on to work for AC/Delco in Milwaukee. There he met his wife, Vyrl Steinfest, who was originally from Antigo, Wisconsin. In 1960, they were married. Norton was then employed with Meyer Manufacturing out of Cudahy, Wisconsin. He was a service technician installing, and servicing brewing, and beverage equipment both stateside, and overseas. In 1969, Norton went to work for Pabst Brewing Company as a journeyman electrician.

In 1979, due to health reasons, Norton and his family moved to Janesville, California. He did electrical work, and invested in a bar business called the Cliffhouse. Norton went on to be employed at the Herrlong Army Ammunition Depot as an electronics security technician until he retired in 1998.

Norton is survived by his wife Vyrl, his mother Mary (now deceased), brothers Holger A. Olsson (now deceased), and Rodney J. Olsson, children, sons Glenn, Randall, daughters Penny and Pamela. Grandchildren Mindy, Chanel, Austin, Lars and Jager. Great grandchildren Drake, Parker and Devon, plus many aunts, uncles and cousins in the US and Sweden.

Norton was preceded in death by his father Axel R. Olsson, and many aunts, uncles and cousins in the US and Sweden.

Norton passed after an operation on March 23, 2001. He was cremated, and his remains were spread over the Sierra Nevada Mountains. He was a member of Winegar Post 480 American Legion, Presque Isle. See also brothers Holger A. Olsson and Rodney J. Olsson.