Coach Ward F. Olson

Coach worked on iron ore boats off Lake Superior in the early 1930s. He was a boy scout, joined sea scouts, was a member of the Ishpeming Ski Club and was an avid Suicide Hill ski jumper. In high school, he was involved in many different sports, which fed his passion of teaching physical education and coaching.

After graduating from Ishpeming High School in 1947, he joined the U.S. Navy attaining the rank of 2nd class petty officer. He served on the U.S.S. Princeton stationed in Alameda, CA and fought in the Korean War. Upon discharge he pursued his education at Michigan State University, where he met the love of his life Gunhild Carlson. They were married in Wilmette, IL in 1953.

Coach began his teaching career in 1957, with Monroe Public Schools at the former Cantrick Junior High. He had a successful teaching and coaching career that spanned 40 years and impacted many athletes. Coach Olson was proudly inducted into the Monroe High School Athletic Hall of Fame, the Michigan High School Tennis Coaches Hall of Fame and the Michigan High School Coaches Hall of Fame.

In retirement, Coach found great joy in his second home on Tee Lake in Lewiston, MI. There he spent many years as part of the Garland Lodge and Golf Resort, if you ever needed a cleat replacement and shoeshine you saw Coach. To this day that stand remains.

Although there was snow on the roof, inside there was a fire in his heart burning for his great love, Gunny. On September 5th, 2023, they would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.

Surviving along with his charming bride Gunhild, 5 daughters: Nancy (Kevin) Schlosser, Kathryn Olson, Tamela (Rusty) Moore all residing in Monroe; also, Karen (Kevin) Morgan of The Woodlands, Texas and Krista (Richard) Moran of Woodstock, GA; nine grandchildren; Kyle and Kurt Schlosser, Taylor Duker and Nicole Morgan, Erich and Meghan Moran, Garrett, Mitchell and Elliott Moore. Coach was blessed with two great-grandchildren, Ayden; Duker and Charlie Schlosser.

He is proceeded in death by his parents, A. Raymond and M. Catherine Olson; one brother, Raymond Olson; one grandchild, Kevin Michael Schlosser.

Friends may call Friday, September 1st from 3pm to 8pm at Bacarella Funeral Home 1201 S. Telegraph Road, Monroe, MI, donning their green and white honoring Coach. During visitation, a vigil will be presented by the Masonic Lodge at 6pm.

Services will be held at 11am, Saturday, September 2nd, also at the funeral home, with a VFW honor guard. Entombment will be private at the convenience of the family.

The family would like to acknowledge the fourth-floor staff of Monroe Promedica Regional Hospital. In lieu of flowers the family encourages memorial donations to Lewiston Michigan VFW and American Legion and Ishpeming Ski Hall of Fame, of which he was a member.

Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family by visiting the obituary page at bacarellafuneralhome.com.