Arthur B Olson

Arthur Bernard Olson, a native Chicagoan, lived a life devoted to loved ones. His greatest joy was capturing the heart of his wife Elva, with whom he shared 59 years of marriage. Born in 1937 in a wood frame two-bedroom on Addison in Chicago’s Wrigleyville area, he was raised along with his beloved sisters Patricia (Pat) and Virgina (Ginni) by his father Arthur Ludwig Olson – a lifelong Pacific Railroad Engineer, and his mother Barbara (Wilhelm) Olson, a housewife and pillar of the family.

Arthur was known as “Artie”, to his wife and friends, and “Uncle Sonny” to his beloved nieces and nephews. He passed away peacefully in his Mt Prospect home on December 26th 2025 surrounded by loved ones. Arthur was preceded in death by parents, Arthur L, and Barbara, his sisters Pat and Ginni, his wife Elva, and his son Dennis, nephews Chuckie and Rocco.

Arthur’s first marriage was to Ann Marie Harden, and together they had three children: Dennis, Richard, and Debbie. He is survived by Richard and wife Maria, beloved daughter-in-law and their three children; Debbie and her three children; and Dennis’s three children; as well as many great-grandchildren, as well as many dear friends.

In his professional life, Arthur worked 40 years in transportation, most recently as a petroleum truck driver and earlier delivering milk throughout Chicago, sometimes giving rides to his kids and nieces and nephews in the milk truck or other work trucks. His hobbies included independent major home improvements of sorts, woodworking, and iconic Lionel model train sets. Family was the center of his life, and he was grounded in his Christian faith.