Walter Morris Olson, 91, originally from Cashton, Wis., passed away Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016, at his son’s home in Alachua, Fla. He had been a former resident of Warsaw.

Walter was born at Cashton, Wis., on May 17, 1924, to Ole and Mae Olson. He was their 10th child.

Walter had a great life working on the family dairy farm. He loved the animals, especially his dogs and the horses. He became a Christian when he was a young boy. Playing baseball for both the Cashton High School team and the City Team were great memories. He graduated from Cashton High School in 1942.

He met Elizabeth Sarah Anderson from Strum, Wis., at a Luther League Convention in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada and they were married on Aug. 19, 1950.

Walter’s plan was to be a dairy farmer for life, but God had other plans for him. He contracted polio in October of 1952, at the age of 28. Walter was a man of tremendous faith in God, so even though he was paralyzed from the waist down, he didn’t feel sorry for himself, but followed a new path by going to school for bookkeeping/accounting. His first job after finishing school was as a business manager at Superior 400 Oil Company in La Crosse. Later he also purchased a Spur Gas Station in Westby, Wis.

In 1964, Walter moved his family to Warsaw, Indiana, to work as a business manager for Ken Anderson Films. Walter was excited to be working for this Christian Ministry that produced and distributed Gospel movies to show to children, teens and adults all over the world.

In 1986, soon after retirement, he found out that he needed to be around people, so he became a greeter at Wal-Mart in Warsaw. Meeting and helping people was a great job for him and he stayed there for 12 years. In 2011, he moved to Fla. to live out his last years with Tim on his farm.

Walter was a member of the Gideons International for 55 years. He held all local and some state leadership positions in Indiana. Walter personally gave out thousands of personal worker New Testaments to people as he witnessed to them about the saving grace of the Lord Jesus.

Walter was a member of the Winona Lake Presbyterian Church for 50 years, where he served as Elder, Deacon, Treasurer and Sunday School Teacher.

The first time you met Walter, you would see a nice man sitting in a wheelchair and you probably would feel sorry for him. After getting to know him, you would never see the wheelchair again, but you would see a very special, blessed and Godly man that was making a difference in this world.

Walter was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years: Elizabeth; his parents; four brothers; and six sisters. He leaves behind two sons: Dr. Timothy Olson; and Thomas (Gerri) Olson; seven grandchildren: Karen (Mike) Conley; Matthew Olson; Laila (Cesar) Morales; David (Xixi) Olson; Kelrey (Tim) Kirschenmann; Patric Olson; and Kayla Olson; 11 great-grandchildren; ten brothers/sisters-in-law; along with many nieces; nephews; and other relatives and friends. A very special thank you to Linda Fisher, who had been Walter’s caregiver for the last four years. We will be eternally grateful to you. Also a special thanks to Dr. Fred and Vicky Schert.

Family and friends are invited for visitation from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Cashton, Wis., before the 1 p.m. service. Burial will follow with a graveside service at Moen Cemetery, Cashton, Wis.

Torkelson Funeral Home in Cashton, Wisconsin, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Family has chosen to have donations be made to The Gideons International in Walter’s name.