Holger A. Olsson

• SPC-4(T) E-4
• August 31, 1959 to August 30, 1962
• Vietnam War, stationed in USA/Europe
• Honorable Discharge, Good Conduct Medal, Expert Shooters Ribbon/Badge (rifle and pistol)

Mr. Olsson was born on May 29, 1940, in the town of Lake, Wisconsin, the son of Axel and Mary Olsson. In 1945, the family moved to Winegar, now Presque Isle, Wisconsin, where he grew up.

Holger attended Winegar Graded School, and Marenisco High School. He graduated from Marinesco High School in 1958. In high school, Holger was editor of the yearbook, lettered in basketball (1, 2, 3, 4), baseball (4). The basketball team won the Little Six Championship in 1958.

Holger was an outdoorsman, who was an avid hunter, fisherman, trapper, bicyclist, scuba diver, skier, sailor, and snowmobiler. He also, was a fishing guide, and with his brother Norton, trapped and sold minnows. They worked, also with their father Axel in his construction business. Holger and his brother Rodney were certified scuba divers, and started Lakeland Divers in 1973. They recovered outboard motors, fishing tackle, glasses and rings. Plus, they found anchors from the logging era as well as old bottles, and even axes left in sunken logs. They even recovered logs that had sunk from the logging era.
Holger attended Gogebic Community College in 1965. And while in the military, went to Ft. Belvoir (Virginia) Prep School for West Point (Captain of the pistol team) and West Point Military Academy.

Holger served in the United States Army from 1959-1962. He was stationed in Europe with the 11TH armored calvary 1ST recon squadron under the command of George S. Patton III, the son and namesake of the World War II armor commander, General George Patton Jr.

Holger was a proud lifetime member (PUFL) of the American Legion of Winegar Post 480 in Presque Isle for 53 years. Where he served as Vice Commander, Rifle Squad Leader, and the Armorer (maintaining the ceremony M1 rifles).

Holger worked construction jobs as a pile driver, tunneler, and laborer. He worked at Meyer Manufacturing as a service technician installing, and servicing brewing and beverage equipment (traveling the US and overseas). He went back to construction as a Union Millwright. Holger bought the business (Olsson’s Presque Isle Inn) from his mother Mary in 1973, and ran it until 1975, when it was sold. He started the pool league with other businesses in the area. After selling the Presque Isle Inn, Holger was back to work as a millwright, and joined local 1056 Waupaca, Wisconsin. He was in demand by many companies as he was known to be a problem solver, and traveled extensively throughout the US and many foreign countries.

Holger and his brother Rodney were caregivers to their mother Mary up until her passing in 2015.

Holger is preceded in death by his parents, Axel and Mary, brother Norton O. Olsson and many aunts, uncles and cousins in the US and Sweden. He is survived by his brother Rodney J. Olsson, Presque Isle, sister-in-law, Vyrl Olsson, Susanville, California and many nieces, nephews, and cousins in the US and Sweden.
Mr. Olsson passed away August 11, 2024 at home with his family there. He is interred at the Presque Isle Cemetery, Presque Isle, Wisconsin.

See also, brothers Rodney J. Olsson and  Norton O. Olsson