Madison - James Robert Olson died peacefully July 22nd, 2010 at the Capitol Lakes Retirement Home at the age of 87 years. Born in Highland Park, Illinois, the second of five children born to a survivor of the "Orphan Trains" of the 1890's and the US Army Infantry of WWI, John Oscar Olson and to an Immigrant from Ireland, Lillian Frances McNeill. Soon after graduation from Evanston High School Jim enlisted in the Marine Corps on December 8th, 1941. He served his country throughout WWII as a Pilot in the Marine Attack Squadron 225, and again during the Korean War. He met his adoring wife Mary Jane (nee Schelling) while attending Indiana State Teachers College. Together they raised three children in Racine, Wisconsin. He had an insatiable curiosity for life and art, loved to sing and was very active in the Racine Art Community. Jim was a very intelligent, kind and generous man, wonderful husband, father, brother and friend. Jim is survived by his daughter Margaret (Peggy) and her husband John Folts of Madison, WI; John and his wife Irene of Madison, WI; Mark and his wife Barbara of Dayton, OH; grandchildren Jakob and Paula (John and Irene), and Andrew (Mark and Barbara); brothers John (Mac) and his wife Betty of Canton, MI; William and his wife Louise of Fond Du Lac, WI; and Frances Kibort of Willowbrook, IL. He was preceded in death by his youngest brother Donald and his wife of 40 years Mary Jane (nee Schelling).Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at the funeral home on Tuesday evening, July 27, 2010 from 4 p.m. until 5:45 p.m. A memorial service for Jim will be held at 5:45 p.m. Inurnment with Full Military Honors will take place at Country Haven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association or HospiceCare.Purath-Strand Funeral Home & Crematory3915 Douglas AvenueRacine, WI 53402(262) 639-8000www.purath-strand.com