Ronald E. Olson, 63, of Viroqua died Jan. 31, 2017, at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse. He was born to Ramon and Evangeline (Everson) Olson on July 13, 1953, in La Crosse.

Ron graduated from Viroqua High School, and from Luther College, where he majored in instrumental music education and played violin and tuba. He directed the string orchestras for New Richmond Schools from 1975 to 1982. After studying computer science at UWRF, he worked for AG-RE-CO and taught for WWTC in Viroqua. He was founding member of the Viroqua Rotary Club; and he started, owned and operated Viroqua Business Systems.

After getting his master's degree from UWL, he moved with his family to the United Arab Emirates where he and his wife Margaret taught from 1993 to 1996. He was a computer network engineer in Wausau and Stevens Point, eventually moving back to Viroqua in 2008 to retire. For the past six months, he served as president of the Eagles Club.

Ron was an accomplished musician who enjoyed playing in the Wausau Symphony and Band, and in many local community theater pit orchestras. He was a founding member of the OPUS String Quartet in Wausau, and he continued to play music throughout the Driftless region in his retirement.

He is survived by father Ramon, sister Renee, brother Randall (Deborah), ex-wife Margaret (Jensen) Milkovich ‘75, children Brian Olson ‘96 (Rykna), Brent Olson ’00 (Caitlin), Carl (Julie), Brinne, and grandchildren Aria, Eilis, Gael, Raelyn, Eva and Johnathan.

Memorial services were held Feb. 5, 2017, at the Thorson Funeral Home in Viroqua with Pastor Pete Beckstrand officiating. Online condolences may be given at [email protected].