Bruce William Olson, 77, of Naples, Florida, formerly of Rockford, IL., died on Friday June 23, 2023. He was born on September 8, 1945 in Rockford, the son of Fred C. and Lillian (Stollar) Olson. Bruce graduated from Rockford East High School in 1963, where he swam on the varsity team. He received his B.A. and B.S. from the University of Minnesota and was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. It was there that he met his wife of 56 years, Paula Gabrielson. They married on December 17, 1966 in Minneapolis, MN. He proudly served in the United States Army’s Illinois National Guard as a Staff Sergeant. In 1968 Bruce became the 4th generation of the Olson family to serve the Rockford area as a Funeral Director with Olson Funeral and Cremation Services, and he was an amazing mentor to many in the industry. After 50+ years, he retired in 2019 having touched so many lives at incredibly difficult times. Nothing made him happier than helping the families with whom he worked.

Bruce’s number one joy was spending time with his family, and he will be missed so much by them. He lived for family gatherings and holidays. Family beach, fishing, and ski trips were frequent, and he enthusiastically attended countless games and matches of his children and grandchildren over the years. He beamed with pride about his children and grandchildren to anyone who would listen. His most recent favorite pastimes were watching the various birds and wildlife of Florida as well as the sunsets over the Gulf, sending nightly photos to his family talking about seeing the “Green Flash.” His children all think that this phenomenon was more the result of an occasional glass of wine during the sunset rather than an atmospheric anomaly. As a social butterfly, he cherished time with his friends. Bruce could make friends with just about anyone, and he did so frequently. He and Paula still have deep connections with friends from their childhood years, through their many years together in Minnesota and Rockford, and most recently their new friendships created in Naples. At the core of Bruce, he simply loved to share jokes and connect with others. Bruce’s fondness of nature led him to teach classes on growing orchids, restoring native prairies, and watching birds. He was a walking encyclopedia of the natural world. To no one’s surprise, he quickly became the orchid expert in Naples, where you could find him on the paths placing them in trees.

He believed in being an active member of his community and was a founding member and first Chairman of the Upper Rock River Ecosystem Partnership of the Illinois DNR, a founding Board Member of Guarantee National Bank of Rockford, Board Member and Chairman of Keith Country Day School, and Board Member and Chairman of The Scandinavian Cemetery Association.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Paula; children, Kristen (Patrick) Ramsey of Morristown, NJ, Brett (Betsy) Olson of London, UK, Scott (Rebecca) Olson of Rockford, and Gregg (Sarah) Olson of St Paul, MN; grandchildren, Nicholas, Caroline, and Julia Ramsey, Brooks, Clay, Boden, Aldyn, Palmer, and William Olson; and several nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents; brother, Fred C. Olson III; and sister, Joan Olson.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 30, 2023 at Zion Lutheran Church, 925 5th Ave. Rockford, IL 61104 with Reverend Dr. Denver Bitner officiating. Visitation will be held from 3:00-6:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 29, 2023 at Fred C. Olson Chapel, 1001 Second Ave, Rockford, IL 61104. Burial in Scandinavian Cemetery. Memorials can be made to The Natural Land Institute, Nygren Wetlands, 320 S. 3rd St. Rockford, IL. 61104 or click here https://www.naturalland.org/donate/. To share a memory or condolence, please visit olsonfh.com