SR0563 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0563 LRB104 17752 LAW 31183 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Marcus M. "Mark" Olson of Peoria, who passed away on January 3, 2026; and

WHEREAS, Mark Olson, the son of Frank and Ida (Anttila) Olson, was born in Marquette, Michigan on October 9, 1927; he married M. Elaine Stolpe on September 16, 1947, and she preceded him in death on October 24, 1996; he served in the United States Army; he earned his bachelor's degree in engineering from Michigan Technological University (Michigan Tech), where he played hockey and was named MVP for three seasons; he later received his master's degree in engineering from Bradley University; and

WHEREAS, Mark Olson moved from Michigan's Upper Peninsula to Peoria, Illinois in 1963, where he began his career as an electrical engineer in defense products at Caterpillar Inc.; he retired in 1986; and

WHEREAS, Mark Olson, a pioneer in youth hockey, was instrumental in establishing programs in Escanaba, Michigan and later in Central Illinois, co-founding the Peoria Blades with Pete BardezBanian; he remained deeply involved in the sport throughout his life, serving as a high school, college, and amateur hockey referee, and he proudly officiated an NCAA Division I Final Four Championship Game; and

WHEREAS, Mark Olson was a past president and lifetime member of the Independent Sports Club of Peoria, and he was also a lifetime member of the Old Timers Baseball Association and the Rivermen Booster Club; and

WHEREAS, Mark Olson was inducted into numerous halls of fame, including the Michigan Tech Athletic Hall of Fame, the Upper Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame, the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame, the Peoria Rivermen Hall of Fame, and the Greater Peoria Area Sports Hall of Fame, where he also received the Neve Harms Award; in his youth, he was a three-time world logrolling champion in the junior division, and he later earned multiple second place finishes in the senior division; and

WHEREAS, Mark Olson was a devoted father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, and uncle; known affectionately as "Gramps" or "Grandpa", he was famous for sending handwritten cards and letters filled with encouragement and his trademark advice; and

WHEREAS, Mark Olson was preceded in death by his parents; his sons, Richard M. "Ric" Olson and Joseph A. Olson; two infant grandchildren; his son-in-law, Gerald "Jerry" Brady Jr.; his sisters, Ruth and Virginia; and his brothers, Wesley, Allan, Paul, Gordon, Edward, Roy, Ted, and Weldon; and

WHEREAS, Mark Olson is survived by his son, Michael P. (Laurie) Olson; his daughters, Susan I. Brady, Jane A. (Mark) Golowski, and Patti L. (Bob) Keegan; 15 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren, with three more expected in 2026; his sister-in-law, Helen Olson; and many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Marcus M. "Mark" Olson and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Mark Olson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.